Thai health officials have confirmed that there is no cluster of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in the country and have advised the public to remain calm.
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has been monitoring information from the World Health Organisation and China regarding hMPV cases. Doctor Panumas Yanawetsakul, director-general of the DDC, stated that there is no confirmation of a significant outbreak of hMPV in China.
Dr. Panumas explained that hMPV is a long-standing respiratory virus unrelated to Covid-19. Its symptoms are similar to those of the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, including fever and coughing.
In some cases, individuals may experience pneumonia or an acute asthma attack. Currently, there is no antiviral treatment available for this virus.
Direk Khampaen, DDC deputy director-general, reported that Thailand recorded 42 hMPV infections last year. The majority of cases were found in children under five years old, followed by individuals 50 to 59 years old and those 30 to 39 years old, reported Bangkok Post.
He emphasised that there have been no reports of cluster outbreaks, reassuring the public that there is no need for alarm.
In related news, Thailand has yet to experience an outbreak of the H5N1 avian influenza, despite reports of a fatality in the United States. Health officials highlight the severity of the virus in migrating birds and recommend preventive measures.
According to Doctor Opas Karnkawinpong, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, the United States has documented 66 cases of human infection with the H5N1 virus since 2024. Most of these cases have originated from strains found in dairy cattle and exhibit mild symptoms.
However, the strain found in migratory wild birds has caused severe symptoms in two individuals. One case involved a person over 65 years old with underlying health conditions who had contact with backyard poultry and wild birds in Louisiana.
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