The Sri Lankan health sector is currently on high alert regarding the potentially fatal virus known as HMPV, which is spreading in the United States, says Dr. Anwar Hamdani from the Ministry of Health.
He emphasized that any new disease emerging in a foreign country poses a threat to Sri Lanka, prompting the Ministry to remain vigilant. The Epidemiological Division is actively monitoring the spread of the virus in the United States.
Dr. Hamdani highlighted the widespread nature of the virus throughout the United States and stressed the importance of being informed and adhering to health and safety practices.
A spokesperson from the epidemiology department urged caution, comparing the spread of this virus to that of the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for respiratory disease prevention measures.
Additionally, the spokesperson mentioned that international media outlets have reported a sudden surge of a viral respiratory disease in the United States, for which there are currently no vaccines or antiviral drugs available for treatment. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has indicated that only symptomatic treatment options are available.
In light of the respiratory nature of this disease, the spokesperson emphasized the significance of practising the same health habits adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic, whenever possible, while discouraging the unnecessary creation of fear.
