Authorities are concerned about surging cases of metapneumovirus infection in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s healthcare authorities have reported 30 cases of metapneumovirus infections / Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Dastan Shanay

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), whose spread is increasingly being reported by the media, has been detected in Kazakhstan, according to the Ministry of Healthcare. In response, the agency has issued a set of recommendations for Kazakhstanis on how to avoid contracting the virus.

«Human metapneumovirus is one of the classic viruses that has been roaming around different countries for decades. Variants of this virus have been detected in Kazakhstan alongside other infection types actively circulating during the seasonal incidence of flu and acute respiratory viral infections,» the agency said in a statement.

Kazakhstan’s Committee of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control has analyzed over 8,300 samples for non-influenza viruses. Of these, 1,866 samples (22%) tested positive.

“The most widespread virus was rhinovirus, accounting for 680 samples or 36.4%, followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with 433 samples or 23.2%. Other detected viruses included adenoviruses (226 samples or 12.1%), coronavirus (206 samples or 11.1%), parainfluenza (178 samples or 9.5%), bocavirus (113 samples or 6.1%) and finally metapneumovirus (30 samples or 1.6%),” the statement read.

Since last October, more than 2 million cases of acute respiratory viral infections and 940 flu cases have been recorded. Of the influenza cases, 910 were of the A(H1N1) type, 30 were type B and one was A(H3N2).

The Ministry of Healthcare has urged citizens to follow the safety precautions and avoid crowded areas. Furthermore, Kazakhstanis are recommended to resume using hand sanitizers and airing out their homes and offices regularly. It’s also advised to stay at home and call a doctor immediately upon noticing the first symptoms.

Various media outlets have reported that shortly before the New Year holidays, Kazakhstanis were massively challenged by viral diseases. Additionally, hundreds of users complained on their social media about the heavy and long course of illness.