Filipinos in Malaysia urged to remain vigilant vs. HMPV

Filipinos in Malaysia are urged to remain vigilant against human metapneumovirus (HMPV) following the rise of cases in the Southeast Asian nation last year. (Pexels Photo)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Filipinos in Malaysia are urged to remain vigilant against human metapneumovirus (HMPV) following the rise of cases in the Southeast Asian nation last year.

On Wednesday, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur noted that at least 327 cases were reported in Malaysia in 2024, higher from the 225 recorded the previous year.

“This is a respiratory infection that usually feels like a common cold, with symptoms like cough, fever, and runny nose. However, in more serious cases, it can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia,” it said in a statement.

Children under age five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of catching the virus.

The embassy advised the public to protect themselves and observe simple precautions by wearing a mask and practicing good hygiene.

The Malaysian Health Ministry last week said it is constantly monitoring the situation, both in and out of the country, but noted that increase in acute respiratory tract infections at the end and beginning of the year is “fully expected”.

Concerns were earlier raised following reports of a surge in HMPV cases in China.

The World Health Organization, meanwhile, said HMPV is not a new virus and that the upward trend in the respiratory pathogen detections, including that of HMPV, during the winter “is within the range expected for this time of year”.

“In many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, trends in acute respiratory infections increase at this time of year. These increases are typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, RSV, and other common respiratory viruses, including hMPV, as well as mycoplasma pneumoniae,” its latest situationer read.

“The co-circulation of multiple respiratory pathogens during the winter season can sometimes cause an increased burden on health care systems treating sick persons,” it added.