KUALA LUMPUR: There have been 327 cases of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infections in 2024, up from 225 cases in 2023.
This signals a notable increase in respiratory tract infections caused by this virus from the Pneumoviridae family.
The Health Ministry said hMPV was not a new disease and was not mandated for notification under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
However, it urged the public to remain vigilant, as respiratory infections were expected to persist in the community.
"The rise in acute respiratory infections towards the end of the year and into the next is consistent with global trends, particularly in colder climates, such as in China."
To curb the spread of such infections, people are advised to practise good hygiene, including frequent hand washing, covering mouths when coughing and wearing face masks in crowded or enclosed spaces.
High-risk individuals are encouraged to take these precautions.
Those with prolonged or worsening symptoms should seek medical attention.
The ministry affirmed its commitment to monitoring respiratory infections, including hMPV, Covid-19 and influenza, both domestically and internationally, to boost preparedness and implement control measures.
Regarding Covid-19, the ministry noted a significant improvement in 2024, with cases decreasing by 50.4 per cent from 202,962 in 2023 to 100,666.
Deaths also fell sharply, from 441 in 2023 to 57 in 2024.
No new Covid-19-related deaths have been reported since April 25 last year, and the dominant strain remains the Omicron variant and its subvariants.
Globally, concerns about hMPV have intensified, particularly in China, where rising cases among children under 14 have been reported, especially in the northern provinces.
China's disease control authorities are piloting a monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin amid predictions of increased respiratory illnesses during winter.
Images of masked people crowding hospitals in China have surfaced online, fuelling fears about the virus's impact.
Recent data from China indicates a surge in hMPV and other respiratory pathogens like rhinovirus.