The National Orientation Agency, NOA, Akwa Ibom State, has begun sensitisation across the local government areas of the state against Human Metapneumovirus, HMPV, a respiratory virus that recently emerged.
The agency emphasised that citizens should always wear nose masks, especially in crowded places, to avoid contracting or transmitting the virus.
In a statement by the Akwa Ibom State’s director of NOA, Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, on Wednesday, HMPV was described as having flu-like symptoms that particularly affect children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
He outlined the symptoms to include cough, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, shortness of breath, wheezing (in severe cases), pneumonia in children, and the worsening of chronic conditions like asthma in adults.
While urging people to avoid direct contact with contaminated surfaces, Mkpoutom noted that the virus can be transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
“We wish to use this medium, in line with our mandate, to advise citizens to always use nose masks, especially in crowded places and airport premises, practice good hand hygiene, avoid close contact with sick persons, and ensure vaccinations for other preventable respiratory diseases like influenza and COVID-19,” the statement added.
Mkpoutom who stressed that there is no known cure yet for HMPV, advised citizens to observe NCDC protocols as recently directed.
