NIMR Assures General Public Of Preparedness Against HMPV Outbreak
Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, DG, NIMR
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has assured the general public of its preparedness against the outbreak of the Human Metapneumo Virus (HMPV) currently being experienced in China if it shows up in Nigeria.
This assurance was given by the Institute’s Director General, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, in a statement made available to the media today.
According to the statement, “Following media enquiries about the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research’s (NIMR) preparedness, in view of recent “outbreak” of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, we wish to assure the general public that the Institute is fully prepared, as Nigeria’s foremost research agency, to fulfil its mandate, concerning the outbreak, if the need arises.
“NIMR is in close contact and will be collaborating with relevant government agencies and institutions as the nation intensifies efforts to strengthen its preparedness for all health emergencies.
“NIMR also aligns with the views and positions already expounded by the Nigeria Centre for Disease control (NCDC). We hereby enjoin the public to adhere to the public health advisory enunciated by the agency.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday that it is in contact with Chinese health officials and has not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
In its latest disease outbreak report on HMPV, WHO said report from Chinese authorities indicated that the health care system there is not overwhelmed and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered.
“In many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, trends in acute respiratory infections increase at this time of year. These increases are typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, RSV, and other common respiratory viruses, including hMPV, as well as mycoplasma pneumoniae. The co-circulation of multiple respiratory pathogens during the winter season can sometimes cause an increased burden on health care systems treating sick persons,” WHO said.
WHO recommended that individuals in areas where it is winter take normal precautions to prevent the spread and reduce risks posed by respiratory pathogens, especially to the most vulnerable, and that people with mild symptoms should stay home to avoid infecting other people and rest.
They also advised that people at high risk or with complicated or severe symptoms should seek medical care as soon as possible; urging that individuals should also consider wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent elbow, practice regular handwashing, and get recommended vaccines as per physician and local public health authorities’ advice.
WHO called on Member States to maintain surveillance for respiratory pathogens through an integrated approach, considering country context, priorities, resources and capacities.
Based on the current risk assessment, WHO advised against any travel or trade restrictions related to current trends in acute respiratory infections.
According to US Centre for Disease Control, the Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages, especially among young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
Discovered in 2001, HMPV is in the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Broader use of molecular diagnostic testing has increased identification and awareness of HMPV as an important cause of upper and lower respiratory infection.
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) is the country’s foremost medical research institute conducting research into various health problems in the country.
The institute is also charged with the dissemination of health research results in the country through training courses, scientific publications, conferences, workshops and other communication channels, to the Federal and States Ministries of Health, relevant stakeholders in the Public and Private sectors as well as the general public.
