The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), currently circulating in China, was first identified in Sri Lanka between 2016 and 2018 and poses no major threat, according to Professor Neelika Malavige of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. She urged the public not to panic or be misled by social media misinformation.
Sri Lanka’s Early Detection of HMPV
Professor Malavige revealed that her department detected HMPV in Sri Lanka during December 2023 through metagenomic sequencing, a method that identifies all pathogens in a sample. The full genome sequence of the virus was obtained from a sample collected in Colombo.
She highlighted earlier studies conducted at Kegalle General Hospital between 2016 and 2018, where HMPV infections were detected in 23.8% of 500 children tested. Some of these children exhibited mild to severe bronchiolitis, with the findings published in the Sri Lanka Journal of Infectious Diseases in 2021.
Cases Documented at Kandy National Hospital
Specialist Dr. Atika Akram at Kandy National Hospital identified several HMPV infections, further confirming the virus’s presence in the country.
Seasonal Respiratory Infections Common in Sri Lanka
Professor Malavige explained that her department did not conduct HMPV testing in December 2024 or January 2025, as this period is known for seasonal viral infections. She emphasized that HMPV has been circulating in Sri Lanka for years, causing infections without significant public health impacts.
No Risk of a Pandemic
Reassuring the public, Professor Malavige stated that HMPV, which has been present globally since at least 2001, does not have the capacity to cause a pandemic like Covid-19. She clarified that HMPV is only one of several viruses responsible for respiratory infections during the December-January period.
“While HMPV has circulated widely in Sri Lanka, it has not led to any major issues. There’s no need for panic,” Professor Malavige concluded, urging the public to rely on credible sources for information.
