CARPHA Urges Strengthened Surveillance Amid Rising Respiratory Illnesses

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), headquartered in Trinidad & Tobago, has called on Caribbean nations to enhance surveillance in response to a rise in respiratory illnesses, including human metapneumovirus (HMPV).

The peak travel and tourism season, marked by increased air and cruise-ship travel, has heightened the risk of respiratory illnesses among travelers and local populations. CARPHA noted that concurrent respiratory outbreaks, such as those in China, could strain regional health systems.

While overall cases have risen slightly, severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases remain low. Influenza A(H1N1) activity is increasing, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity, though still elevated, has declined over the last month. COVID-19 activity remains minimal.

Monitoring and Recommendations

CARPHA continues to monitor respiratory illness trends and analyze syndromic data. It urges member states to:

• Strengthen surveillance systems and public health capacity for timely detection and response to respiratory illnesses.
• Use non-pharmaceutical measures where exposure risk exists, following established protocols.
• Enhance tourism-based surveillance for travelers arriving by air and sea.

CARPHA also highlighted that its member countries may utilize molecular testing tools, such as the BioFire viral panel, to detect HMPV. The CARPHA Medical Microbiology Laboratory (CMML) prioritizes respiratory testing using an algorithm that includes screening for influenza and non-influenza viruses, such as HMPV, particularly in high-risk groups like children under five and adults over 65.

HMPV Overview

In 2024, CMML conducted 313 tests for non-influenza viruses, with 11 confirmed HMPV cases. HMPV, a virus related to RSV, causes upper and lower respiratory illnesses across all age groups, particularly in children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals.

Common symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath, which can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia. The incubation period ranges from 3–14 days, with illness duration varying based on severity. – (CMC)