NIMR prepared for HMPV outbreak – DG

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research is "fully prepared" to handle any illness outbreak, including the Human Metapneumo Virus that is circulating in China, according to Prof. John Obafunwa, the institute's director-general.

He stated that while the country stepped up efforts to improve its readiness for any medical emergency, NIMR was in close communication with and would work with pertinent government organisations and institutions.

As the leading medical research institute in the nation, NIMR conducts studies on a range of health issues and disseminates the findings of these studies through conferences, workshops, training programs, and scholarly publications, among other channels.

Following media enquiries over the readiness of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research in light of the current "outbreak" of the disease, he stated, "We would like to reassure the public that the Institute is fully prepared, as Nigeria’s foremost research agency, to fulfill its mandate, concerning the outbreak, if the need arises.

“NIMR is in close contact and will be collaborating with relevant government agencies and institutions as the nation intensifies efforts to strengthen its preparedness for all health emergencies.”
In addition, the NIMR DG urged the public to follow the Nigeria Centre for illness Control and Prevention's public health alert, saying that the institute shared the organization's opinions and stances about the illness outbreak.

Since the World Health Organisation had not yet designated it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the NCDC stated that the country's risk of HMPV was moderate.

The NCDC was keeping a close eye on the situation and has taken steps to safeguard public health safety, according to NCDC DG Dr. Jide Idris.

However, in a previous article, virologists advised older people and those with weakened immune systems to make sure they follow safety precautions including handwashing, keeping a social distance, and wearing a face mask.
With an incubation period of three to six days, HMPV is a single-stranded ribonucleic acid virus that causes symptoms like the common cold and influenza, such as cough, fever, nasal congestion, and exhaustion. It was initially identified in the Netherlands in 2001.

In young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems, the infection can lead to serious complications including pneumonia.

The fear of another pandemic has increased due to its recent emergence in China and the United Kingdom.

But according to the WHO, which communicated with Chinese health officials, it had not heard of any unique HMPV outbreak trends.

The organisation insisted that the virus was prevalent in several Northern Hemisphere nations during this time of year, saying that this could sometimes increase the burden on healthcare systems.
This time of year sees a rise in acute respiratory infection patterns in several Northern Hemisphere nations. Seasonal outbreaks of respiratory pathogens, including mycoplasma pneumoniae, seasonal influenza, RSV, and other common respiratory viruses, including hMPV, are usually the cause of these increases. According to the WHO, the co-circulation of several respiratory infections over the winter can occasionally result in an increased load on healthcare systems caring for ill patients.

To further minimise the spread of respiratory diseases and lower the risks they represent, particularly to the most vulnerable, the international organisation advises people living in cold regions to take the usual precautions.

"Those with mild symptoms should rest and stay at home to prevent spreading the illness to others." Individuals with complex or severe symptoms or those at high risk should seek medical care as soon as possible.
As advised by doctors and local public health officials, it said, "People should also think about wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent elbow, practise regular handwashing and get recommended vaccines."

WHO also recommended that member states use an integrated approach to maintain respiratory pathogen surveillance, taking into account the national context, priorities, resources, and capacities.