The City Health Office (CHO) on Tuesday reported that Zamboanga is still free from human metapneumovirus (hMPV) as it continues its monitoring and surveillance activities to prevent an outbreak of influenza-like illnesses (ILI).

“Here in our city, we have not recorded any [hMPV] cases. Although last year bien mucho chene maga cough and colds and fever, but we monitor these cases and we have not spiked. Nohay kita clustering,” City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite told members of the local media during a press briefing in City Hall Tuesday, January 14.

The local health official also revealed that there was a 2% increase in reported ILI cases in 2024 with 244 from 240 in 2023. As of morbidity week 2, there are no reported ILI cases in 2025.

Miravite assured that CHO remains relentless in its monitoring and surveillance activities not only of ILI cases but of dengue as well.

“In our surveillance, we have a five-year average. If we are within that average, then we monitor because we do not want to have a spike. If we have a spike, then that would be an outbreak,” she explained.

Despite no reported cases in the city, the local health official encouraged residents to wear masks and practice hand hygiene to protect themselves, as hMPV can lead to death.

“Just like any other infection, if you are immuno-compromised or young or a senior citizen with comorbidities, the symptoms can be more severe compared to healthy individuals with no comorbidities,” Miravite warned.

So far, the Department of Health has not issued guidelines on hMPV. (Claudine Uniana) (photo credits: Kathy Wee Sit)