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January 16, 2025 | 01:24 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Human Metapneumovirus or HMPV is one of many microorganisms or agents that cause acute respiratory infections (ARI) with symptoms such as cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. However, the influenza vaccine can provide immunity against infection due to HMPV because the symptoms are similar to the common flu.
"Although it is not a direct vaccine that protects against HMPV, the influenza vaccine can provide immunity against transmission (HMPV)," said the Head of the Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Working Team of the Ministry of Health, Nani Rizkiyati, in an online discussion "Recognize ISPA and Pneumonia for Us to Prevent and Treat" by the Jakarta Health Office in Jakarta, Monday, January 13, 2025.
Nani referred to information from health experts who explained that people who have been vaccinated against influenza have a lower risk of contracting HMPV. However, the influenza vaccine has not become a government or national policy so it is still paid. Meanwhile, HMPV has characteristics similar to the common flu with symptoms such as cough, runny nose, can also be accompanied by fever and sore throat.
Then, most infected people will recover on their own without requiring special treatment. However, people should be alert if the symptoms get worse. One of them is marked by shortness of breath. If you experience this condition, immediately visit the nearest health care facility such as a community health center.
"If the symptoms get worse, it can cause shortness of breath, then don't underestimate it. But don't panic, what we need to do is stay alert," said Nani.
Take preventive measures
To prevent being exposed to the HMPV virus and getting sick, people need to take preventive measures. In addition to vaccination, other steps include wearing masks when in a crowd, washing hands regularly, and avoiding direct contact with those experiencing flu symptoms.
"Be alert if you come into contact with poultry that suddenly dies, then you get the flu. You should immediately go to the community health center to be examined, swabbed for the throat, nose, to find out what the virus is, what the subtype is," he explained.
Nani added that until now there have been no reports of deaths due to the HMPV virus. Reports of patients who died were actually due to sudden illnesses.
"So, it's not because they got HMPV and then died, it doesn't happen because the symptoms are mild flu," he said.
Data from the Jakarta Health Office recorded a total of ARI cases due to HMPV from 2023 to January 2025 of 214 cases with details of 13 cases in 2023, 121 cases in 2024, and 79 cases in 2025.
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