Consider HMPV Like An Ordinary Flu, Minister Of Health Make Sure There Are No Special Preparations For Puskesmas-Hospitals

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin. BETWEEN LIvia and Kristianti

Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin said there was no appeal or special preparation for puskesmas and hospitals in dealing with Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), but he asked for it to be reported if it was detected.

"This is a disease like an ordinary flu. The important thing is now we just ask to report it. Because there are several labs that can do this virus test panel. So if this virus is detected, we just ask to report it. Because there are a lot of influenza viruses," said Minister of Health Budi as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, January 9.

The Minister of Health explained that HMPV has been found in the world since 2001 and its fatality rate is very low, making it difficult to find. The Minister of Health assessed that the healing process was the same as the common cold.

"The reality rate is very low. It is far below COVID. And it is proven that all those affected by HMPV, the data I see in Indonesia, all of their children have recovered. They have returned safely," said Minister of Health Budi.

Because HMPV is an old virus, he continued, the body knows how to deal with it, different from COVID-19 which is a new thing so that it is difficult for the body to respond to.

The Minister of Health also said that it was not HMPV which caused an increase in cases in China in December 2024, but H1N1.

"Every December it increases, indeed, those affected by the problem of Influenza-Like Illness or ILI around the world, including China. Especially for China, the increase in December 2024 is actually lower than 2023," he said.

Previously, the Executive Board of the Indonesian Doctors Association (PB IDI) explained the symptoms of the disease caused by HMPV similar to the common cold so there was no need to panic, but still need to be vigilant.

Chairman of the COVID-19 Task Force PB IDI Dr. Erlina Burhan said the disease caused by HMPV can also heal by itself like an ordinary flu. What is needed is a supportive treatment, for example by being given a fever, paracetamol, or cold medicine.

Erlina highlighted the need for a clean and healthy lifestyle, avoiding contact with patients or people with flu symptoms, cleaning up contaminated objects.

For those with symptoms and high risk, such as children, the elderly, people with HIV/AIDS, or people with chronic diseases, he suggests wearing masks when traveling, especially if in crowded places.

"If it has been diagnosed, or it is estimated that this is HMPV, what should be done? The first is rest," he said.