Ghana has confirmed the identification of one Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) case, according to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
He stated that the case was discovered in an older adult and that it was found in 90 tested samples.
Following an order to submit a comprehensive report within a week, the minister made the announcement while briefing Parliament on the ongoing outbreaks of meningitis and cholera.
In young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, hMPV is a respiratory virus that can cause cold-like symptoms, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
As part of our regular surveillance, we started testing for Human Metapneumovirus hMPV this year in January 2025 in response to a recent surge in respiratory cases in China and a few temperate nations in December 2024. Only one hMPV positive case has been found out of the 90 samples that have been chosen for testing thus far. This was discovered in an elderly individual,” he disclosed.
Notwithstanding the discovery, Mr. Akandoh reassured the populace that there is still little chance of hMPV in Ghana, citing improved disease surveillance systems, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have a strong respiratory virus monitoring system in place, which includes hMPV. He promised that any cases found would be promptly located and handled to stop them from spreading.
