Minister of Health: HMPV is Not a New Virus, Don't Panic

SEAToday.com,Jakarta - The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), which recently spread in China, has now been detected in Indonesia, with all reported cases involving children. In response, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin reassured the public not to panic, emphasizing that HMPV is not a new virus and has been recognized in the medical community.

"HMPV has been present in Indonesia for a long time. If you check, you'll find it. I recently reviewed data from several labs, and some children have tested positive for HMPV," said the Minister in Jakarta on Monday (January 6).

The Minister explained that HMPV is different from COVID-19. While COVID-19 is a new virus, HMPV has been around since 2001 and is commonly associated with symptoms similar to the flu. The human immune system has long been familiar with the virus and responds effectively.

"Unlike COVID-19, which emerged a few years ago, HMPV is an older virus, circulating globally since 2001. It hasn’t caused significant issues until now," he added.

Regarding reports of a rise in HMPV cases in China, the Minister clarified that this information is inaccurate, as confirmed by both the Chinese government and the World Health Organization (WHO). The reported increase in cases in China is attributed to the H1N1 virus, not HMPV. "I’ve seen the data, and the virus increasing in China is not HMPV but H1N1, a common flu virus. HMPV ranks third in prevalence in China, so this is not true," the Minister explained.

Minister Budi also assured the public that HMPV is not a deadly virus. It shares symptoms with the common flu, such as coughing, fever, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Most people recover on their own without special medical treatment.

HMPV spreads similarly to other flu viruses, through droplets from an infected person’s saliva. While it is generally not harmful, vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with certain health conditions should remain cautious.

The Minister urged the public to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including getting enough rest, washing hands regularly, wearing masks when feeling unwell, and seeking medical advice if symptoms appear.

“The key is to stay calm and alert. By following health protocols like the 3M guidelines—washing hands, wearing masks, and maintaining social distance—we can manage this virus effectively, just like we did with COVID-19,” concluded the Minister.

For more information, the Ministry of Health can be reached via their hotline at 1500-567, SMS at 081281562620, or email at kontak@kemkes.go.id.

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