The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday ruled out imposing lockdowns or border closures amid recent reports of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China.
In an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo, DOH spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo noted that while HMPV cases have surged, they remain lower than those recorded in 2023.
Domingo explained that HMPV is a seasonal virus first identified in 2001, which typically causes mild respiratory illnesses.
According to data from the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HMPV accounted for 6.2% of positive respiratory illness tests by late December 2024.
Domingo reassured the public that current levels of respiratory infections are consistent with seasonal trends and that hospital usage remains manageable.
“The human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is not comparable to COVID-19, as it is not a novel virus. This virus has been recognized by Dutch researchers in the Netherlands since 2001 and is detected sporadically,” he explained.
“We are familiar with HMPV; therefore, there is no need to close our borders, as it does not spread aggressively even when present in our region,” Domingo added.
In the US, HMPV cases have also been on the rise since November 2024, with about 1.94% of weekly tests returning positive as of late December.
Experts say that while HMPV can lead to severe illness in vulnerable populations, it does not pose the same risks as COVID-19.
The DOH recommends practicing good hygiene and remaining at home if symptomatic.
