Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has revealed that Ghana has confirmed one case of the Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV).
Addressing parliament on Tuesday, February 18, he said the virus was detected in an elderly adult after testing 90 samples.
“In response to a recent increase in respiratory cases in China and some temperate countries in December 2024, as part of our routine surveillance, we commenced testing for Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) this year in January 2025. So far, 90 samples have been selected for testing, and only one positive case has been detected for hMPV. This was detected from an elderly person,” he revealed.
The minister, however, assured that the risk of hMPV in the country remains low as disease surveillance systems have been strengthened.
“We have a robust monitoring system in place for respiratory viruses, including hMPV. Any detected case will be quickly identified and managed to prevent further spread,” he reassured.
First identified in the Netherlands in 2001, the Human Metapneumovirus spreads through direct contact between people or when someone touches a contaminated surface.
The virus leads to a mild upper respiratory tract infection for most people. Symptoms for most people include a cough, a fever, and a blocked nose.
Young children, including those under two, are most vulnerable to the virus.
It also poses a greater risk to those with weakened immune systems, including the elderly and those with advanced cancer.