‘We don’t anticipate a challenge’ – Health Minister on HMPV in Guyana

By Shania Ally

With talks surrounding the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) circulating, there has been worldwide speculation and concern on the severity of the virus.

Speaking to the media at the sidelines of an event on Friday, Guyana’s Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony said while the Caribbean Public Health Agency has the capability to diagnose the disease, a challenge is not anticipated.

“We don’t anticipate a challenge but since we have seen whatever is going on globally, we have made sure that we would be able to collect samples and (be) able to send those samples for the diagnoses,” he explained.

Minister Anthony noted his Ministry has been checking and so far there are no HMPV cases in Guyana. He however said there have been cases of a similar virus, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and the Ministry has been able to successfully manage them.

In addition, Dr Anthony further emphasised the importance of having a system in place to manage such diseases, and highlighted Guyana’s work in managing viral diseases.

“In Guyana, we have done quite a lot of work to manage viral diseases. And in fact, this year we will do even more work,” he said.

In response to questions of Guyana’s capability of screening at ports of entry for the virus, and diagnosing and treating it, Minister Anthony said those measures have not been put in place. This is due to the common symptoms of the virus such as the flu.

However, he noted if persons become unwell and visit one of the Ministry’s facilities, officials will be able to take a sample and make a diagnosis.

The Health Minister also mentioned that Guyana has received USD$15M from the Pandemic Fund, facilitated by the World Bank in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), to help strengthen the country’s surveillance system, laboratory system, and to recruit more healthcare specialists. The money is expected to be accessed from March 2025 and the project will run over the next three years.

“We’re not preparing for a single disease. This would help us to enhance the system so that if there is anything in the animal population that jumps into the human population we would be able to detect it and have a stronger approach to viruses in the human population,” said Dr Anthony.