Ghana has recorded one confirmed case of the Human Metapneumovirus in the country.

This case was detected from an elderly person out of some 90 samples selected for testing.

The Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh made this known during his appearance before Parliament to brief the House on the state of the public health emergencies in the country.

“Mr. Speaker, we have also identified a single case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the country. In response to recent increases in respiratory cases in China and some temperate countries in December 2024, as part of our routine surveillance, we commenced testing for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) this year, January 2025,” Mr Akandoh informed the House on February 18.

The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that can cause a range of respiratory illnesses, from mild cold-like symptoms to severe pneumonia.

While it can affect people of all ages, it is most commonly seen in young children under 5, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

Already, some countries including China are battling the disease with cases surging on daily basis.

He assured the House that the risk of HMPV in Ghana remains low considering the robust surveillance system in place.

“As you can see, we have robust surveillance systems in place to monitor for respiratory viruses, including HMPV. In fact, these systems have been strengthened in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. We therefore assure the country that any case of HMPV will be quickly identified and managed to prevent spread,” he assured.

Health officials say they remain on high alert.

Read also:

Full Text: Health Minister’s address to Parliament on CSM, cholera outbreak

The post 1 case of Human Metapneumovirus recorded in Ghana – Health Minister first appeared on 3News.

Read Full Story