People wear masks on a street in Hong Kong on February 27, 2023. Peter Parks, AFP/File 

MANILA — The Department of Health on Wednesday said there was no need to implement lockdowns or close the country’s border over reports of an outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in parts of China.

HMPV cases have reportedly surged among young people in northern parts of China in recent weeks. Cases of rhinoviruses, a major cause of common colds, have also risen.

“Hindi dini-deny ng bansang yun na mayroon silang pagtaas ng cases nila. Pero kapag ini-compare sa kanilang bilang noong 2023, mas mababa pa rin,” noted DOH spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo.

HMPV is a seasonal infection occurring in the colder months.  It causes infections in the upper and lower respiratory tract. Its symptoms can include cough, fever and congested nasal passages, which are often caused by other viruses, as well.  

What to know about the HMPV outbreak in China

Compared to the virus that causes COVID-19, HMPV is relatively known and well-understood, Domingo told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

“Yung HMPV, hindi siya parang COVID-19 dahil hindi siya bago... Ito pong human metapneumovirus, 2001 pa po siya kilala ng Dutch researchers sa Netherlands…at nadi-detect siya sporadically,” he said.

Last year, the Philippines detected 284 cases of HMPV, Domingo said.

“Kilala natin si HMPV, hindi natin kailangan isara ang borders natin at hindi siya kumakalat kahit andito siya,” he said.

“Wala pong lockdown, tuloy po ang ating buhay. Tayo po ay mag-ingat po lamang at ito ay seasonal na mga trangkaso,” added the official. 

Domingo added that HMPV circulates worldwide and not just in China

“Napansin n'yo po may report rin ang US CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). And ang report nila, ganoon din ang trend, kapag panahon ng winter...kumakalat talaga siya 'pag malamig,” the DOH spokesperson said.

“Sa atin naman...hindi ganoon kalakas ang hawahan,” he said.

There is currently no treatment or vaccine for HMPV.

“Pero 'wag kakabahan...maski yung common cold, yung rhinovirus, wala naman talagang gamot doon. Ang talagang prevention d'yan is palakasin ang immune system,” Domingo said.

Preventive measures include good hygiene, avoiding exposure to infected people, staying home if one experiences symptoms, and adopting measures such as wearing masks.   

INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS  

Meanwhile, the DOH said it logged 179,227 cases of influenza-like illness as of Dec. 31, 2024, which was 17 percent  lower than the 216,786 cases logged in the previous year.

“This decrease may be attributed to better health-seeking behaviors and practices and better preparations by the health sector,” the agency said.

ILI is characterized by coughs, colds, and fever. Its top five causes in the Philippines include the rhinovirus, enterovirus, influenza A, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus.

“HMPV ranked 6th among the identified causative agents of ILI in the Philippines for 2024,” the DOH said.