Pakistan’s Ministry of Health has confirmed that no cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been detected in the country. Despite this, authorities are actively monitoring all flights arriving from China, which has recently experienced a surge in HMPV cases.
China’s HMPV outbreak, particularly severe in Hunan province and surrounding areas, has overwhelmed hospitals, with viral videos showing overcrowded medical facilities. This has drawn comparisons to the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Nadya Jamil, the ministry’s focal person on HMPV, stated that while no cases have been identified in Pakistan, passengers arriving from China with flu-like symptoms are being screened and tested. Monitoring desks at airports, initially set up for monkeypox (Mpox), have been repurposed to include HMPV surveillance.
Dr. Jamil noted that HMPV is not a new virus in Pakistan, with research on it dating back to 2015. However, the ministry is taking precautionary measures to prevent its spread.
HMPV is a respiratory virus that causes symptoms similar to the common cold, including fever, cough, nasal congestion, and difficulty breathing. While most cases are mild, the virus can lead to severe complications in children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
