Dinkes: Don't Panic About HMPV Outbreak!

The Jakarta Health Agency (Dinkes) calls on residents not to panic to an uptick in the spread of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. This is not a new virus but is already known in the medical world.

This data will keep being updated

Jakarta Dinkes Head, Ani Ruspitawati said HMPV was discovered in 2001, so this virus is not a new virus like Covid-19 which was only discovered in 2019.

She explained HMPV is one of the many microorganisms that cause Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARI), either in the upper or lower respiratory tract, which are found almost throughout the year.

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She explained common symptoms of ARI caused by various viruses or other microorganisms, including HMPV, include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. If the infection attacked the lower respiratory tract, it could develop into bronchitis, pneumonia or pneumonia.

"There are around 23 other microorganisms detected in ARI sufferers, such as Influenza viruses type A and B, Adenovirus, and Coronavirus," she expressed, Thursday (1/9).

She urged the public to remain calm and implement preventive measures, such as a healthy lifestyle, cough etiquette, washing hands frequently, and wearing masks when sick.

"Despite most people with ARI due to HMPV do not experience serious illness, vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with impaired immune systems can experience more severe infections and require treatment," she explained.

She went on to say that the current conditions were still relatively safe. Despite the number of ISPA and pneumonia sufferers has been increasing since November 2024, this scheme repeated itself every year with an increase in ISPA cases towards the end of the year until the start of the year.

Examination data shows that cases of ARI due to HMPV have existed since 2022 in Jakarta. Other viruses that cause ARI that are currently dominant are influenza virus type A H1N1 pdm2009, Rhinovirus, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Based on the Dinkes' data, the number of ISPA sufferers due to HMPV was 19 cases (2022), 78 cases (until October 2023), and 100 cases (2024).

"This data will keep being updated through coordination with various health service facilities and laboratories in Jakarta," she furthered.

She added the Jakarta Provincial Government has made various efforts, including educating the public to recognize the symptoms of ARI, prevent illness, and avoid transmission with cough etiquette, wearing masks when sick, washing hands, and living healthily to increase immunity. Dinkes has also prepared facilities to handle ARI and infectious disease cases.

"In the future, the disease alert system with the potential for an epidemic will be strengthened by developing a laboratory-based disease surveillance system, complementing the existing ILI & SARI (Influenza-Like Illnesses & Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) surveillance system," she closed.