Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has reassured the public that the increase in acute respiratory infections caused by the Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) in the northern provinces of the People’s Republic of China is not a cause for alarm.
This was said by Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the health ministry, in a statement on Wednesday.
“The observed increase in cases of respiratory infections in China and other countries in the Northern Hemisphere is an expected phenomenon around this time of the year due to winter weather conditions,” Nangombe explained.
Nangombe assured Namibians that the situation does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern.
“The public is urged to remain calm and refrain from distributing unverified information about the reported outbreak to avoid unnecessary panic,” he said.
Nangombe added that the health ministry will continue to monitor global and local developments through its surveillance networks and provide updates as necessary.
He said that Namibia has established protocols to address potential outbreaks of various diseases, including respiratory infections.
“Our protocols cover surveillance, detection, referral pathways, diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment care,” he said, noting that the country’s response is underpinned by the Public and Environmental Health Act 1 of 2015.
Public health emergency committees at national, regional, and district levels stand ready to respond to outbreaks.
“We have an effective and sensitive surveillance system in place that is able to detect a potential outbreak anywhere in Namibia and respond accordingly,” he said.
Nangombe also stressed the importance of risk communication and community engagement in managing public health crises.
He said that the ministry will ensure that any detected cases are promptly managed to prevent widespread transmission.
While respiratory infections are a common seasonal occurrence, Nangombe urged the public to adopt preventive measures.
These include regular handwashing, covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wearing masks in crowded areas.
hMPV, first identified in 2001, is a common virus found worldwide.
It circulates predominantly in winter and spring, causing cold-like symptoms in healthy individuals, such as a runny nose, cough, and fatigue.
The virus can cause severe respiratory illnesses in vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children under five, immunocompromised individuals, and people with underlying health conditions.
“There is no specific antiviral therapy to treat hMPV, nor is there a vaccine available. Treatment is largely supportive and tailored to symptoms,” Nangombe explained.
Namibia, in alignment with guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), has not imposed any travel or trade restrictions to or from China.
