According to a leading virologist in Malaysia, the public need not panic about the presence of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) as it lacked the high transmissibility and asymptomatic spread found in diseases like Covid 19.

The nation of China has now been put on red alert since they are experiencing seasonal respiratory illness spikes, including hMPV, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza, but it is unlikely it will become a global pandemic.

Malaysia had a pre-existing circulation of hMPV and other respiratory viruses but unlike SARS-CoV-2 in the year 2020, hMPV does not spread asymptomatically and it is generally manageable within a healthy population.

The high-risk groups identified for hMPV infection include infants and young children, particularly those under a year old, the elderly who may have weaker immune systems as well as immunocompromised individuals.

Medical experts revealed that the symptoms of hMPV in a typical infection resembles the common cold, which might include a cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath and sometimes rashes.

These experts state that the best way to reduce the risk of infection is to regularly wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, if soap and water are unavailable.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE