NOTICE PAPER NO. 3354
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 4 FEBRUARY 2025
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Ng Ling Ling
MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC
Question No. 7090
To ask the Minister for Health with the rise of flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in China (a) how does the Government ensure that cross-border transmission of HMPV will not pose public health concerns in Singapore; (b) whether the subsidised flu vaccination under Healthier SG is sufficient for the prevention of the spread of HMPV to seniors; and (c) what is being done to protect children, especially those aged 14 and below who are amongst those most affected by HMPV.
NOTICE PAPER NO. 3382
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 5 FEBRUARY 2025
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Joan Pereira
MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC
Question No. 7123
To ask the Minister for Health (a) how many cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been detected to date; (b) which are the age groups most severely affected by HMPV; (c) whether there are any fatalities due to HMPV; and (d) what measures have been implemented to reduce the number of infections in Singapore.
Answer
1 Mr Speaker, my response will also cover the matters raised in question 14 by Ms Joan Pereira on human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in today’s Order Paper.
2 HMPV is a respiratory virus that has been prevalent globally, including in Asia, for many years. The symptoms are similar to common cold, and patients typically recover quite uneventfully.
3 HMPV surges are common during the colder months in temperate regions. There have been significant surges in some parts of Asia this winter. In Singapore, based on our ongoing surveillance for acute respiratory diseases, we also have observed an increase in HMPV activity during the year-end period, similar to previous years. This has started to subside. There are currently no vaccines for HMPV, and the influenza vaccine does not provide protection against HMPV infection.
4 Similar to other respiratory infections, the advice to the public and especially medically vulnerable persons such as young children, the elderly, and those with chronic medical conditions, is to take preventive measures, such as the practice of good personal hygiene, limiting social contacts when sick, and seeing a doctor promptly if symptoms worsen.