Staff Reporter
THE reported increase in cases of respiratory infections in China and other parts of the world does not currently constitute a public health emergency of international concern. The Ministry of Health and Social Services is urging the public to remain calm, avoid unnecessary panic, and refrain from distributing unverified information about the outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV).
The increase in respiratory infections in China is attributed to the cold season, which typically sees seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hMPV, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Executive Director of the Ministry of Health, Ben Nangombe, said in a recent statement that the ministry will continue monitoring the situation through robust surveillance networks and provide updates to the public as necessary.
According to Nangombe, the rise in respiratory infections in China and other northern hemisphere countries is an expected phenomenon due to winter weather conditions. He clarified that hMPV is a common respiratory virus that circulates globally, particularly from winter through spring. Discovered in 2001, it is not a new virus.
“In fact, hMPV is a relatively common virus with worldwide distribution and has been identified on every continent,” said Nangombe. He added that in healthy adults, the infection typically causes mild cold-like symptoms indistinguishable from other common cold viruses. However, hMPV can cause serious illness in the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, or children.
Nangombe emphasized that the Ministry of Health has established protocols for managing disease outbreaks, including malaria, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), polio, hepatitis E, COVID-19, and other potential public health emergencies. The Public and Environmental Health Act 1 of 2015 forms the foundation of these efforts.
“The ministry’s protocols provide guidelines on surveillance, detection, referral pathways, diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment care. One of the most critical components is risk communication and community engagement,” said Nangombe. He added that Namibia has public health emergency teams at the national, regional, and district levels, ready to respond to outbreaks.
He reassured the public that the ministry is equipped to manage any cases if they are detected in Namibia. He explained that respiratory tract infections can be caused by various viruses, which spread via airborne droplets, aerosols, or contact with contaminated surfaces.
Common signs and symptoms of respiratory infections include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and general malaise. While most cases of hMPV result in mild to moderate symptoms, severe cases can occur in high-risk groups, including:
- Persons aged 60 years and older.
- Children under five years of age.
- Individuals with underlying health conditions such as pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular or chronic lung disease, liver or kidney disease, cancer, or immunocompromised conditions.
- Residents in nursing homes or disability care facilities.
Currently, there is no antiviral therapy or vaccine for hMPV. Treatment focuses on symptom management, tailored to individual cases. Preventive measures include regular hand washing, covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and avoiding close contact with others when symptomatic.
In alignment with the World Health Organization (WHO), the ministry does not impose trade or travel restrictions to and from China. However, individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms are advised to avoid travel and seek medical attention if symptoms arise during or after travel, sharing their travel history with healthcare providers.
