The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health confirmed that Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), recently highlighted in China, was among the causes of respiratory infections in children recorded in the city during 2023 and 2024.
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| Source: Vietnamnet |
Surveillance data from 2024 indicated that monthly cases of respiratory infections in Ho Chi Minh City ranged from 16,000 to 18,000. No significant abnormalities in case numbers or severity were observed in hospitals.
A collaborative study on community-acquired pneumonia, conducted by the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) with the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Khanh Hoa General Hospital, Nha Trang Pasteur Institute, and Singapore’s National Center for Infectious Diseases under the PREPARE project, found that common viruses and bacteria remain the primary causes of pneumonia.
In a sample of 103 community-acquired pneumonia patients hospitalized from July to December 2024 at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases, HMPV accounted for 12.5% of cases in children.
By comparison, other pathogens like influenza A (25%), rhinovirus (44.6%), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 41.1%) were more prevalent.
During a late-2023 outbreak of respiratory infections in children in Ho Chi Minh City, HMPV was identified in 15% of cases.
Despite the relatively low prevalence of HMPV, the Department of Health has advised the public to remain vigilant.
The city’s Center for Disease Control (HCDC) and other health units have been directed to closely monitor global disease trends and prepare for potential outbreaks.
This includes maintaining strict health screening protocols at airports and seaports as instructed by the Department of Preventive Medicine to detect and mitigate risks early.
Additionally, local epidemiological surveillance activities will continue to ensure timely responses to any emerging health threats.
Vietnamnet