Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has confirmed the detection of a single case of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in Ghana.
According to him, the case was detected in an elderly adult, identified from 90 samples tested.
The announcement was made during a briefing to Parliament on the current cholera and meningitis outbreaks, following an order to submit a comprehensive report within a week.
hMPV is a respiratory virus that can cause cold-like symptoms, bronchitis, or pneumonia, particularly in young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals.
“In response to a recent increase in respiratory cases in China and some temperate countries in December 2024, as part of our routine surveillance, we commenced testing for human metapneumovirus (hMPV) this year in January 2025. So far, 90 samples have been selected for testing, and only one positive case has been detected for hMPV. This was detected from an elderly person,” he revealed.
Despite the detection, Mr. Akandoh assured the nation that the risk of hMPV in Ghana remains low, explaining that the country’s disease surveillance systems have been strengthened, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have a robust monitoring system in place for respiratory viruses, including hMPV. Any detected case will be quickly identified and managed to prevent further spread,” he reassured.
