The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has raised alarm over the dangers of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), warning that the respiratory virus, which mimics flu symptoms, poses a grave threat to vulnerable groups, particularly children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Uyo on Friday, the Akwa Ibom State Director of NOA, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, described HMPV as a silent threat capable of escalating into severe health conditions like pneumonia and bronchiolitis in children or worsening chronic ailments such as asthma in adults.
“This virus spreads rapidly through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and direct contact with contaminated surfaces,” Mkpoutom revealed.
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He stressed the importance of vigilance, noting that those most at risk include children under five, the elderly with pre-existing health conditions, and people with weakened immune systems.
To curb its spread, the agency advised residents to consistently wear nose masks in crowded spaces, such as airports, practice good hand hygiene, and avoid close contact with sick individuals. Additionally, Mkpoutom encouraged vaccinations for other preventable respiratory diseases, including influenza and COVID-19, while noting that there is currently no known cure for HMPV.
He called for strict adherence to the protocols recently issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), adding that the NOA has intensified awareness campaigns across all rural communities in Akwa Ibom State.
