The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has noted increased respiratory infections caused by human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in China and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

In guidelines issued on Friday, January 17, 2025, the GHS disclosed that this trend has been observed since late December 2024.

The GHS explained that hMPV infections can affect everyone and are typically spread through inhaling respiratory particles.

According to the service, common symptoms include cough, fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, and headache. Severe symptoms may include persistent cough, difficulty breathing, noisy breathing, high fever, chest pain, fatigue, and general tiredness.

To prevent the spread of hMPV and other respiratory infections, the GHS recommends practicing proper respiratory etiquette, such as covering your nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing, maintaining proper hand hygiene, avoiding touching your eyes, mouth, and nose, wearing a nose mask when necessary, and reporting to a health facility upon observing symptoms.

The Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye, stated that the service is taking proactive measures to safeguard public health in Ghana and will provide regular updates on the situation.

Dr. Aboagye added that the GHS had convened a Public Health Emergency Operation Centre meeting to assess the situation. The meeting observed that the recent increase in acute respiratory infections and associated pathogen detections in the Northern Hemisphere aligns with seasonal patterns and is not unusual.

The GHS also disclosed that samples from respiratory surveillance sites in all 16 regions of Ghana have been tested and have not shown any unusual pathogens, including hMPV.