Malaysia's acute respiratory infectious disease HMPV cases surged 45% last year

Photo Source: Yonhap News

Recently, the number of patients with "human metapneumovirus" (HMPV), an acute respiratory infection spreading in China, also surged in Malaysia last year.

Malaysia's health ministry said cases of HMPV infection in the country rose 45% from 225 in 2023 to 327 last year, adding it would step up preparedness and take appropriate action.

"We must be careful, especially when travelling to infections and at-risk countries in enclosed and crowded spaces," the health ministry said, calling for thorough precautions.

Authorities said an increase in cases of respiratory infections is expected at the end of the year and early in the year, adding that similar phenomena are being reported in countries where winter temperatures drop, such as China.

HMPV infection is a respiratory infection that occurs mainly in infants and young children, and the main symptoms are fever, cough, phlegm, runny nose, and nasal congestion, and in severe cases, it can cause lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Although it is not a new virus, it has recently spread in China and India, raising vigilance.

In India, two people, a three-month-old girl and an eight-month-old boy, were recently diagnosed with HMPV infection.

The Chinese Center for Disease Prevention and Control said on the 27th of last month that "influenza has entered a seasonal epidemic, the HMPV positive detection rate is also increasing, and there is a clear increase in the northern regions."

Cambodia's health authorities also urged caution against HMPV on the 30th of last month, and Thailand is also preparing by sharing HMPV information centered on the medical community.