Ghana has recorded the first case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and I ask, is Ghana financially prepared for another pandemic?.
Ghana is one of the countries that suffered the consequences of the covid-19 pandemic.
Despite being able to contain the disease to a certain level, the pandemic put pressure on the country’s health system, as well as its economy.
The Covid-19 disease first broke in China and started to spread across the world.
While other countries were financially prepared to contain the disease, countries such as Ghana had to depend on the advanced economies to manage the situation.
Ghana had to depend on foreign aids, donors, individuals and companies for support.
Due to the lessons learnt, the Current President, John Dramani Mahama has made it known his commitment to strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system to address emerging challenges, including the potential for pandemics, fueled by the escalating climate crisis.
As it stands now, China is experiencing a surge in cases of the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) which has raised fears of another Covid-style pandemic.
While it seems this particular is unlikely to spread across the world like that of covid-19, it has become necessary for the Government of Ghana to put measures in place so that in case there is an outbreak, it will not put sudden burden on Ghana’s economy and its health system.
What is HMPV, symptoms, and how does it spread?
According to a BBC report, First identified in the Netherlands in 2001, HMPV spreads through direct contact between people, or when someone touches a contaminated surface.
The virus leads to a mild upper respiratory tract infection for most people.
It is usually almost indistinguishable from flu.
Symptoms for most people include a cough, a fever and blocked nose.
The very young, including children under two, are most vulnerable to the virus.
It also poses a greater risk to those with weakened immune systems, including the elderly and those with advanced cancer, according to Hsu Li Yang, an infectious diseases specialist in Singapore.
If infected, a “small but significant proportion” of immunocompromised people can develop more severe disease where the lungs are affected, with wheezing, breathlessness and symptoms of croup.
“Many will require hospital care, with a smaller proportion at risk of dying from the infection,” Dr Hsu said.
Despite spreading mostly in winter, it is possible that those who are infected can transfer the virus when they come from these countries that are experiencing it to Ghana.
It is therefore an alarming situation that should not be overlooked.
Situation in Ghana
As at February 20, 2025, Ghana had confirmed its first case of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).
According to the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh the case, detected in an elderly adult, was identified from 90 samples tested as part of routine surveillance following a rise in respiratory infections in China and other countries in December 2024.
Updating Parliament on the country’s health situation on Tuesday, February 18, he said the detection came amid ongoing outbreaks of cholera and meningitis, which have prompted Parliament to demand a comprehensive report within a week.
Despite the detection, the Minister assured the public that the risk of an HMPV outbreak in Ghana remains low, emphasising that the country’s disease surveillance systems have been significantly strengthened since 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 said.
Although the government has taken steps to contain and control the disease, the Country needs to establish a public health emergency fund for the prevention and response measures to the outbreak of such diseases.
Also, the Country needs to prepare financially so that in case there is another pandemic, it will not put pressure on the economy.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa
