Kazakhstan Will Not Impose Quarantine for Metapneumovirus

Aizhan Esmagambetova, head of Kazakhstan's National Center for Public Health, has announced that there is no need for restrictive measures in response to identified cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the country. Human metapneumovirus is a respiratory tract infection that can cause inflammation in the upper and lower lungs. Although the virus has been circulating among humans since the mid-20th century, it has not previously caused widespread epidemics. Concerns about the virus were raised after foreign media reported an outbreak in neighboring China in late December 2024. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the spread of acute respiratory infections, including HMPV, but Chinese authorities did not impose border closures similar to those during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Health reported detecting 30 cases of metapneumovirus between October 1, 2024, and early January 2025. The Committee of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control conducted testing on 8,360 non-influenza virus samples during the epidemic season, with 1,866 (22%) returning positive. Of these, metapneumovirus accounted for only 1.6%. Other respiratory infections were more prevalent, including: Rhinovirus: 680 cases (36.4%) Respiratory syncytial (RS) virus: 433 cases (23.2%) Adenovirus: 226 cases (12.1%) Coronavirus: 206 cases (11.1%) Parainfluenza: 178 cases (9.5%) Bocavirus: 113 cases (6.1%) The Ministry of Health stated that HMPV is primarily transmitted via airborne droplets and, to a lesser extent, through household contact. Despite this, Esmagambetova emphasized there is no justification for a quarantine:"The epidemiological situation in the country is stable. While we are in the midst of the epidemic season, a comparison of this year and last year shows a 20% decrease in acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) for the same period," she explained. "As is typical, morbidity rises in January and declines by mid-February, but there are no grounds for quarantine or other restrictive measures. We are monitoring the epidemic situation, including morbidity and virus circulation, almost daily." Esmagambetova also highlighted that approximately 70% of cases in Kazakhstan occur in children under 14. She advised parents to keep children with signs of respiratory infections at home and avoid sending them to schools or kindergartens. She further recommended that citizens avoid crowded places, wear masks, and ensure proper ventilation. Kazakhstan’s Minister of Education, Gani Beisembayev, stated during a government meeting that the country’s education system is prepared to switch to distance learning if necessary. However, any decision to transition will depend on the Ministry of Health. This update comes after The Times of Central Asia reported outbreaks of seasonal and non-seasonal diseases across Central Asia last year, including influenza, measles, and hepatitis​.