20 hours ago
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January 8, 2025 | 07:57 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said that the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus that is spreading in China has been found in Indonesia. Several children have been exposed to this virus. Even so, Budi asked the public to remain calm.
"HMPV has long been found in Indonesia. If checked, it does exist. I myself saw data from several laboratories yesterday, it turned out that several children were infected with HMPV," said Budi in his official statement on Monday, January 6, 2025.
According to Budi, HMPV was first discovered in 2001 by researchers in the Netherlands. This virus has characteristics similar to the common flu and does not pose a serious threat to global health. In fact, the human immune system has recognized and is able to respond well to this virus.
"Unlike Covid-19, HMPV has been circulating throughout the world since 2001. So far, nothing worrying has happened. This virus is like the common flu," he said.
What is HMPV?
HMPV is a virus that causes acute respiratory infections. This virus was first detected from nasopharyngeal samples from children. Although it was only discovered in 2001, serological studies have shown that HMPV has been infecting humans for more than 60 years.
This virus spreads through bodily fluids, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In addition, transmission can also occur through contact with contaminated objects, such as cell phones, doorknobs, or toys. After touching these objects and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes, the virus can enter the body.
One thing to note is that the duration of the body's immune system's protection against HMPV is relatively short. As a result, a person can be infected with this virus repeatedly throughout their life.
Preventive Steps
Although HMPV does not show a high risk of death, preventive steps are still important to take, especially for those with weak immune systems. Here are some simple steps to reduce the risk of HMPV infection:
- Make a habit of washing your hands with soap and running water, and wearing a mask when in crowded places.
- Make sure the air in the room can be changed by opening windows regularly every day.
- If possible, avoid areas with many people or closed spaces.
- Pay attention to a balanced diet, do light exercise regularly, and make sure your body gets enough rest.
Melynda Dwi Puspita contributed to the writing of this article.
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