Will Kazakhstan impose quarantine due to metapneumovirus

Tengrinews.kz - The head of the National Center of Public Health Care, Ayzhan Esmagambetova, discussed whether Kazakhstan plans to impose quarantine due to the spread of metapneumovirus.
Esmagambetova stated that Kazakhstan is in the midst of the epidemic season, but the epidemiological situation remains stable.

"We are in the peak of the epidemic season. Compared to last year, the incidence rate is 20 percent lower. However, as usual, there is an increase in cases in January, followed by a decline by mid-February. Currently, there are no grounds for introducing quarantine or restrictive measures. We monitor the epidemiological situation, both in terms of disease incidence and virus circulation, almost daily," she said in a video posted on the center's Facebook page.

According to Esmagambetova, for healthy people with a good immune system, the virus may be asymptomatic.

"The danger lies not in the viral infections themselves, such as the flu or flu-like infections, but in their complications. Metapneumovirus is no exception, and it can lead to pneumonia, otitis, and any other complications related to the respiratory system," Esmagambetova noted.

Additionally, Esmagambetova recommended that Kazakhstanis avoid crowded places, wear masks, and ventilate rooms more often.

"Another important recommendation to prevent the virus from spreading quickly and increasing the number of cases: do not send children with signs of ARVI (acute respiratory viral infections) to kindergartens or schools, because children carry the infection into the family and then put their parents, grandparents, and others at risk," she concluded.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that affects the respiratory tract and causes inflammation of the upper and lower lungs. The virus was first detected in the Netherlands in 2001, but according to some reports, it has been circulating among people since the 1950s.
Earlier, an outbreak of human metapneumovirus was recorded in China. According to the Chinese Administration for Disease Control and Prevention, this virus has become the second most common after influenza, with both cases showing an increase in the number of cases compared to the previous week.
The Ministry of Healthcare commented on media reports about the spread of metapneumovirus (HMPV) worldwide.