MAJ calls for gov't to test for HMPV amid global surge in cases

 

President of the Medical Association of Jamaica, Dr. Leslie Meade, believes Jamaica may already have cases of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) given the frequency of people travelling to the island from countries with reports of the respiratory illness.

 

HMPV is a seasonal virus that typically causes upper respiratory infections resembling the common cold.

 

Infections are reportedly surging in Asia, including China, India, Malaysia and Kazakhstan.

 

Speaking Tuesday on TVJ's Smile Jamaica, Dr. Meade said a popular destination for Jamaicans is the United States where cases of the virus have been steadily increasing since November last year. 

 

"About 7% of the screening that is done in the US in terms of respiratory viruses is HMPV, and Jamaicans travel back and forth very often. And so it is likely that it has already been or has arrived into Jamaica and has been circulating," he cautioned. 

 

Dr. Meade called for the government to test for HMPV amid global concern about the surge in cases of the virus.

 

"We are not, as far as I'm aware, testing specifically from HMPV. In more developed countries, we know that there are kits, particularly used in persons who are hospitalised, to try and differentiate [between respiratory viruses]," he noted. 

 

Symptoms for most people with HMPV include a cough, fever, and nasal congestion. 

 

Meanwhile, the Medical Association of Jamaica said there is no need for Jamaicans to be concerned about another COVID-19 situation with the human metapneumovirus.

 

Dr. Meade explained that people have some immunity against HMPV because the virus has been circulating since 2001. 

 

"The COVID-19 caused the pandemic because it was new. No one had any immunity against the COVID-19, and so it was a spread throughout the world. This is different. HMPV has been around about 23 years now, and we find that many persons, not just in China, but in Europe and the USA, have been exposed to this virus. And so there is some amount of natural immunity. And so we should not find that we will have a pandemic outbreak, all being equal." 

 

Dr. Meade added that young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, are more susceptible to severe illness from HMPV.

 

He said there is no specific vaccine or antiviral medications to treat human metapneumovirus.

 

 

In the meantime, the Pan American Health Organization has launched an interactive dashboard to monitor avian influenza A (H5N1) cases in the Americas including the Caribbean.

 

PAHO said as concerns grow over the spread of the disease, the availability of accurate, real-time information is crucial for authorities to prepare, prevent new outbreaks, and protect public and animal health in the region.

 

It said the data underscores the importance of regional and global collaboration to monitor the spread of zoonotic diseases like avian influenza A and mitigate its potential impact.

 

The dashboard features tables and maps showing outbreaks in humans, as well as in domestic and wild birds and mammals across the region.

 

Between January 1 and December 31, 2024, the platform recorded 66 confirmed human cases in the United States and one in Canada, as well as over 1,300 outbreaks in animals in various countries across the region.