The Indonesian government says HMPV is not a deadly virus and advises locals to maintain good hygiene
The Indonesian island of Bali has stepped up monitoring of foreign visitors, especially from China and Malaysia, to prevent the spread of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections in the tropical paradise even as Jakarta’s health ministry urged locals to “stay calm” and maintain good hygiene.
First discovered in 2001, HMPV is a “common virus that circulates in winter and spring”, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
China and other Asian countries have seen an uptick in respiratory virus cases in recent weeks, prompting the UN health agency to assuage concerns over a possible global outbreak.
“China’s reported levels of respiratory infections are within the usual range for the winter season,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said on Tuesday.
“Authorities report that hospital utilisation is currently lower than last year, and no emergency declarations or responses have been triggered.”
The pathogen usually causes normal cold symptoms including cough, fever and nasal congestion. In some people with weak immune systems, it can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia.
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Officials in tourism-dependent Bali said “Airlines from China and Malaysia need our special attention”, requiring travellers from the two countries to fill out a health declaration form three days before their arrival to the island.
China’s foreign ministry said last week that the respiratory tract illness appeared to be less severe and spreading on a smaller scale compared with the previous year.
Bali has set up a quarantine clinic at the airport where passengers with body temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius will undergo saliva swab tests, The Jakarta Post reported.
More than 3,000 holidaymakers from China and Malaysia visit Bali every day, said Anak Agung Ngurah Kesumajaya, chief of the Denpasar port health office.
Government data showed Indonesia welcomed 12.66 million international tourists from January to November 2024, a 20.17 percent increase compared with the same period in 2023.
But Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin appeared to be unimpressed by Bali’s precautionary measures as he reiterated that HMPV was not a deadly virus and the country has logged similar cases involving children.
Officials in tourism-dependent Bali said “airlines from China and Malaysia need our special attention”, requiring travellers from the two countries to fill out a health declaration form three days before their arrival to the island.
China’s foreign ministry said last week that the respiratory tract illness appeared to be less severe and spreading on a smaller scale compared with the previous year.
Bali has set up a quarantine clinic at the airport where passengers with body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius will undergo saliva swab tests, The Jakarta Post reported.
More than 3,000 holidaymakers from China and Malaysia visit Bali every day, said Anak Agung Ngurah Kesumajaya, chief of the Denpasar port health office.
Government data showed Indonesia welcomed 12.66 million international tourists from January to November 2024, a 20.17 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2023.
But Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin appeared to be unimpressed by Bali’s precautionary measures as he reiterated that HMPV was not a deadly virus and the country has logged similar cases involving children.
Source South China Morning Post
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