The Ghana Health Service says it has noted an increase in respiratory infections caused by human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in China and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
The service in its guidelines issued on Friday, January 17, 2025, disclosed that this was discovered since late December 2024.
The GHS explained that the infections can affect everyone and are usually spread through the inhalation of respiratory particles.
The common symptoms the service said include cough, fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body ache, and headache.
Severe symptoms may include severe cough, difficulty in breathing, noisy breathing, persistent fever, chest pain, tiredness, and According to the GHS, prevention is just like all other respiratory infections.
These include practicing proper respiratory etiquette, such as covering your nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing, proper hand hygiene, avoiding touching your eyes, mouth, and nose, wearing a nose mask when necessary, and most importantly, reporting to a health facility when you observe the symptoms.
The guidelines issued by the Director General, Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye, stated that the GHS is taking the necessary steps to safeguard the health of the people of Ghana and also provide regular updates on the situation.
He said the GHS had held a Public Health Emergency Operation Centre meeting to assess the situation and observed that the increases in acute respiratory infections and associated pathogen detections by countries in the Northern Hemisphere in recent weeks are expected at this time of the year and not unusual.
It disclosed further that samples taken from all the respiratory surveillance sites in all 16 regions of Ghana and tested have not shown any unusual pathogens, including the hMPV.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
