ISPA Cases Due To HMPV Virus In Jakarta Reach 197 Since 2022

Illustration of warta activities using masks during the COVID 19 (ANTARA) pandemic

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Health Office revealed that cases due to the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus in Jakarta have been found since 2022. Head of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office Ani Ruspitawati said the HMPV virus was one of the causes of acute respiratory infection (ARI).

Based on data from the Health Office, the number of ISPA sufferers due to HMPV in Jakarta since the findings of the first cases until now reached 197 cases. In detail, 19 cases were found in 2022, 78 cases in 2023, and 100 cases in 2024.

"We will continue to complete this data through coordination with various health service facilities and laboratories in Jakarta," Ani said in her statement, Thursday, January 9.

Meanwhile, the virus that causes ISPA other than HMPV currently circulating and dominant is the H1N1 type A influenza virus pdm2009, rhinovirus and the virus' syncytial respiratory.

Ani admitted that the number of ISPA sufferers and pneumonia is indeed increasing. Since November 2024, this pattern is relatively repeated every year where ARI cases tend to increase towards the end of the year until the beginning of the year.

Ani explained, the general symptoms of ARI sufferers due to various other viruses or microorganisms are also the same, including cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. If an infection occurs in the lower respiratory tract, it will become bronchitis, pneumonia or pneumonia.

"At least 23 microorganisms/agents of other causes are often found in ISPA sufferers, such as type A influenza virus and type B, adenovirus, coronavirus, and others," he explained.

Therefore, Ani appealed to the public not to panic in the face of the potential spread of this virus, by adopting a healthy lifestyle to prevent illness, avoid transmission with coughing ethics, diligently washing hands, and wearing masks when sick.

"Although the majority of ISPA sufferers due to HMPV do not experience serious illness, in vulnerable groups, namely among children, the elderly, and people with immune system disorders, this infection can become more severe and require treatment for sufferers," explained Ani.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the HMPV virus that recently spread in China was not actually a new virus. So, he asked the public not to panic when they found HMPV in Indonesia.

HMPV has long been found in Indonesia, if you check if it exists, it's there. I myself saw the data in several labs yesterday, it turns out that some of the children were affected by HMPV," said Budi.

Budi emphasized that the HMPV virus is different from the COVID-19 virus. COVID-19 is a new virus, while HMPV is an old virus that is similar to the flu. The human immune system has known this virus for a long time and is able to respond well.

"Unlike the COVID-19 that only appeared a few years ago, HMPV is an old virus that has existed since 2001 and has been circulating around the world since 2001. So far nothing has happened either," said Budi.

Budi also emphasized that information about the soaring HMPV cases in China is not true. This has also been confirmed by the Chinese government and the World Health Organization (WHO). The increase in cases of common flu in four seasons countries such as China often occurs during winter.

"I've seen the data, what goes up in China is not the HMPV virus but the H1N1 type or the ordinary flu virus. HMPV is ranked number three in China in terms of prevalence, so that's not true)," he explained.