Health officials educate community residents on preventing various infectious diseases in Mondulkiri province, a northeastern region with extremely cold weather. Mondulkiri provincial health department
The Ministry of Health has issued a public advisory urging caution against respiratory diseases during the current cold weather, particularly human metapneumovirus (hMPV).
In a notice dated December 30, the ministry cited reports from media outlets highlighting outbreaks of hMPV, a virus that causes respiratory illnesses with flu-like symptoms such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, coughing and wheezing.
“hMPV can lead to severe illness in infants, children, persons over 65 years old and individuals with weakened immune systems,” the ministry stated.
Discovered in the Netherlands in 2001, hMPV has been reported in Cambodia, with cases detected in children from 2007 to 2009. However, due to the country’s milder cold weather, the disease tends to be less severe than influenza, with most affected children recovering fully.
Researchers estimate that hMPV accounts for approximately 10 to 12 per cent of respiratory infections in children. While most cases are mild, 6 to 16 per cent of infected children may develop complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
The ministry noted that the virus spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and close physical contact, such as touching, shaking hands, hugging or kissing. It can also spread by touching contaminated objects and then the mouth, nose or eyes.
Symptoms of hMPV include coughing, fever, nasal congestion, runny nose and fatigue, which can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia in severe cases. The incubation period ranges from three to six days.
To reduce the spread of hMPV and other respiratory illnesses, the ministry advised frequent handwashing with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitiser, avoiding touching the face before cleaning hands and covering the mouth with a tissue, cloth or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
It also recommended wearing masks and avoiding direct contact with infected individuals. The ministry emphasised not using bare hands to cover the mouth and avoiding sharing utensils or drinking glasses.
In cold weather, the ministry encouraged wearing warm and appropriate clothing, especially for vulnerable groups such as infants, children and the elderly, who are more susceptible to cold-related illnesses.
Individuals experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, fever, coughing, sore throat, or muscle pain are urged to seek medical consultation at health centres or hospitals. For reports of flu outbreaks within communities, the public is encouraged to contact the ministry’s hotline at 115.
