PETALING JAYA: No alarming increase in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases have been recorded at private hospitals, says the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM).
While there was an increasing trend in the fourth quarter of last year, APHM president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said there was no congestion at intensive care units or hospital beds.
There was also an increase in influenza cases between November and December, he said, noting that this was normal and observed yearly.
“It’s quite common to observe an increasing number of influenza cases towards the year-end due to the holidays, rainy season and increasing social activities.
“We see this every year but it’s nothing alarming for now,” he said.
Dr Kuljit also stressed APHM’s readiness to work with the government in the event of an outbreak.
“Most of the bigger hospitals have already gone through that during the Covid-19 phase and we can work it out.
“Private hospitals will always work together with public hospitals in times of need like a pandemic and it was evident during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia president Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson said there was an increase in flu and upper repiratory tract infection cases being treated by its members.
“The year-end increase is usually due to increased travel, both domestic and international,” he said.
However, he said there were no statistics for HMPV cases, noting that it is not currently feasible at primary care levels due to costs, among other factors.
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He said HMPV would remain as a flu causing respiratory virus unless complications such as pneumonia showed a sudden increase alongside with mortality rates.
Universiti Malaya’s Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming said the public should not be too worried about the surge in respiratory and HMPV infections reported in China recently.
“The Health Ministry should, however, monitor if there is a surge in respiratory infections in Malaysia,” said the professor of epidemiology and public health.
She said there is also no need to conduct HMPV screenings at international borders to mitigate its spread.
“The effects of these respiratory infections are not serious to most people, except vulnerable groups. It will be better for them to take preventive measures rather than screen everyone.
“However, international travellers with flu-like symptoms should be strongly encouraged to wear masks,” she said.
Moy said maintaining a healthy lifestyle would also ensure good immunity against infections.
She advised the elderly, children and those with low immunity to wear masks in crowded places, maintain social distance, wash hands frequently and avoid crowded places when possible.
Meanwhile, the tourism sector has stated their preparedness for any circumstances should an outbreak occur.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Nigel Wong said the sector has been maintaining a high standard of safety and cleanliness since the Covid-19 pandemic.
“At the moment, based on the lessons we learned from Covid-19, the tourism sector still maintains its highest level of preparedness as the last pandemic is still fresh in mind.
“For example, the hotel industry has been taking the similar steps to ensure the safety of travellers,” he said, adding that they are also keeping tabs on any announcements from the authorities.
Wong advised Malaysian travellers overseas to also take extra precautions by practising the necessary hygiene measures.
Malaysian Tourism Federation president Datuk Tan Kok Liang agreed, saying that the industry would be able to navigate through a similar crisis based on the Covid-19 pandemic experience.
He added that “it is business as usual” for the sector ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026.
“But we must continue to remain vigilant and adopt recommended hygiene standards as and when advised by the medical authorities,” he said.
