KUALA LUMPUR, January 4 - A total of 327 positive cases of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection were reported last year compared to 225 in 2023.

The public need not worry because it is not a new disease and is not required to be reported or notified.

The Ministry of Health in a statement said that hMPV is a respiratory tract infection caused by a virus in the Pneumoviridae group.

"The increase in acute respiratory tract infections at the end and beginning of the year is a completely expected phenomenon.

"This is in line with the increase in similar cases in other countries, especially those with a cold season such as China," the statement said.

As a measure to prevent and control the spread of infection, continuous monitoring is being carried out both domestically and internationally.