No need to fear HMPV – Hanover’s MOH
Published:Tuesday | January 14, 2025 | 12:15 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Dr Kaushal Singh, the medical officer of health (MOH) for Hanover, has said there is no immediate cause for panic regarding the human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
He explained that while the symptoms resemble those of COVID-19, HMPV is a respiratory virus with flu-like symptoms and is unlikely to become severe unless there are underlying health conditions.
Although no cases of HMPV have been detected in Jamaica, the Ministry of Health & Wellness says it is closely monitoring its global spread. It has issued guidance encouraging individuals to follow established health protocols, similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic, to prevent transmission.
“Persons ought not be afraid or to panic because as I see it, this is not a new virus,” Singh said.
He said that health officials in Hanover are monitoring fever and respiratory symptoms in patients to stay informed of the situation.
“There is always an increase in a strain of respiratory ailment symptoms at this time of year, so this is the time to take all the necessary precautions,” explained Singh. “It (the HMPV) is not very much different from regular flu type of symptoms. In a few cases, one may develop bronchitis or pneumonia, but the most vulnerable people are children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised, as is usually for all respiratory illnesses.”
The Hanover MOH said that whereas COVID-19 was new to health officials worldwide, and as such, treatments had to be developed to combat it, because the HMPV is not new, strategies to deal with it is already known.
However, he also expressed concern about the Hanover Health Department’s (HHD) capacity to handle a potential surge in cases due to a shortage of nurses.
“Presently, we are having a shortage of nurses. We do not have many nurses in our team, and due to the pull from external forces offering increased benefits, we are getting resignations every month – either one or two every month,” said Singh.
To address this, Singh said the HHD will reorganise its services for 2025, including task-shifting among staff across the parish, to ensure the delivery of effective healthcare.