Will schools in Kazakhstan introduce curbs amid HMPV rising cases?

Enlightenment Minister of Kazakhstan Gani Beissembayev commented Wednesday on the possibility of curbs at schools countrywide amid rising cases of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), Kazinform News Agency reports.

According to Minister Beissembayev, education system in Kazakhstan stands ready to respond to all challenges as a result of the experience gained during the coronavirus pandemic.

“All colleges and schools are fully equipped with the necessary tools to respond to such situations. However, I think we should wait for the decision of the Ministry of Healthcare. If it comes, we are always ready for various challenges,” said Beissembayev at a government briefing.

Deputy Prime Minister Tamara Duissenova added that the Ministry of Healthcare has sent a request to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In her words, in its response the WHO stated that there is no need to panic. “This virus has been circulating in countries for a long time, there is treatment. Preventive measures need to be taken,” Duissenova concluded.

Earlier it was reported that strains of human metapneumovirus have been detected in Kazakhstan.

Zhanna Praliyeva, the Deputy Head of the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of Astana, also commented on the situation with acute respiratory infections, flue and metapneumovirus in Astana.