Te Marae Ora, Ministry of Health says the risk of the new Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), to the Cook Islands is low.

TMO issued a statement yesterday saying: “While the risk to the Cook Islands remains ‘LOW’, they will continue to monitor Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) through weekly surveillance.”

TMO said the virus is causing concern in China due to a surge in respiratory illness cases.

TMO further says that the outbreak in China has overwhelmed hospitals and raised public health concerns.

However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not declared an emergency and is monitoring the situation with China.

“In response, health officials are establishing a monitoring system for pneumonia or unknown origin to better handle future outbreaks.

“Although there is no specific antiviral treatment of HMPV, preventative measures like handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals and maintaining good hygiene can help reduce the spread of the virus.”

TMO states that HMPV symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath, affecting high-risk groups (young children, older adults).

And preventive measures include handwashing, good hygiene, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.

“Travelers to high-risk countries should take precautions and seek medical advice if unwell.”

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory disease that causes flu or cold-like symptoms, but can increase risks or lead to more serious complications like bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly among the elderly, young children, and immunocompromised people.

Symptoms include: bronchiolitis, pneumonia and exacerbation of asthma or COPD.

According to the Guardian News experts say the risk of another Covid-like pandemic is low.

The disease is in the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and has been around since at least 2001 when it was first identified in the Netherlands. Its outbreaks are concentrated during colder seasons, the Guardian News reports.

According to the BBC, the virus in the United Kingdom has steadily risen since October last year. And this week India confirmed seven cases, including a three month old girl. The common respiratory virus is also found in Malaysia and Kazakhstan.

TMO has advised that if you are travelling abroad to countries with high risk and returning to Cook Islands, if you are feeling unwell seek medical advice immediately and keep up-to-date with flu vaccinations and consider carrying a mask.

Meanwhile, this week, TMO will hold a vaccination drive for Rarotonga and this includes whooping cough vaccination for children.

Health secretary Bob Williams said this starts today.

He also confirmed there are no whooping cough cases for the Cook Islands.