THE Ministry of Health has addressed concerns regarding the human metapneumovirus (hMPV), reiterating information shared in an earlier statement on January 8, 2025.
This update follows data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which highlighted a rise in acute respiratory infections in China during the last week of December 2024.
The report indicated that infections, including seasonal influenza, hMPV, rhinovirus, and adenovirus, are increasing, although the overall intensity remains lower than the previous year.
Health officials, including the Minister of Health and the Chief Medical Officer, emphasized that hMPV is not a new virus, having been detected globally since 2001.
This is supported by epidemiological data from the World Health Organization (WHO), PAHO, and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
According to the WHO, hMPV is one of the viruses responsible for upper respiratory infections and has been circulating among populations for many years.
The Ministry of Health has clarified that hMPV is not classified as a notifiable disease in Trinidad and Tobago at this time. They assure the public that they will continue to provide updates as necessary, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about respiratory illnesses, particularly as the northern hemisphere enters its winter season.
For more information on hMPV, the public can visit the WHO’s official page on the topic.
