Sri Lanka on alert as HMPV spreads in China

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By Editor_1

COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s health authorities are on high alert as the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory illness currently spreading in China, garners global attention. The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health said it was closely monitoring developments to ensure preparedness against the virus.

In a statement issued on Friday (3), the Unit confirmed it had received information about the virus and said further details would be shared with the public after a thorough study and analysis of the situation.

HMPV, while not a newly discovered virus, has raised concerns due to its recent outbreak in China, which has disproportionately affected vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly. The virus, first identified in 2001, is known to cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. Experts suggest, however, that the virus has likely been present in human populations for far longer.

Foreign media quoted Dr Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease expert from the University of Toronto and Toronto General Hospital as describing HMPV as a seasonal virus that may circulate throughout the year, but that it is more prevalent in the winter months, just like other respiratory viruses.

Globally, HMPV is a common pathogen, frequently observed in countries such as Canada, where its impact mirrors that of influenza or COVID-19.

Health officials in Sri Lanka have warned that the virus, like similar respiratory pathogens, could spread through respiratory droplets produced by coughing and sneezing. Children under five, people over 65, and those with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of severe illness.

China’s ongoing outbreak has placed the global health community on alert, especially as international travel expands post-pandemic. Sri Lanka’s vigilance comes as the country continues to navigate public health challenges amidst an unprecedented economic crisis in which its health sector is teetering on the edge of collapse with a shortage of medicines and qualified medical personnel.

As the virus garners global attention, public health experts have called for heightened awareness of respiratory hygiene and vaccination campaigns targeting vulnerable populations. While no specific vaccine exists for HMPV, preventive measures such as mask-wearing, regular handwashing, and avoiding crowded spaces remain essential to curbing its spread.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared HMPV a public health emergency but has encouraged countries to remain vigilant and share data transparently.

-ENCL

Editor_1
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