Health Officials Reassure Public About hMPV

Thai health officials clarified on Saturday that there is no evidence of a human metapneumovirus (hMPV) outbreak in the country, urging people to remain calm.

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has been monitoring updates from the World Health Organization and China regarding hMPV cases. According to Dr. Panumas Yanawetsakul, the DDC’s director-general, no significant outbreak of hMPV has been confirmed in China.

Dr. Panumas explained that hMPV, a respiratory virus, has existed for years and is unrelated to Covid-19. Symptoms are comparable to the flu or respiratory syncytial virus, including fever and coughing. Some patients might develop pneumonia or severe asthma. Currently, no antiviral treatment exists for this illness.

Deputy director-general Direk Khampaen stated that Thailand recorded 42 hMPV cases last year. Most cases occurred in children under five, followed by individuals aged 50–59 and 30–39. He emphasized that no cluster outbreaks have been reported, reassuring the public to avoid unnecessary alarm.