China has seen an alarming rise in respiratory illnesses, prompting complaints of overcrowded hospitals and an overburdened medical system. Health experts are particularly concerned about the spread of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus in other parts of the region that is afflicting many countries in Asia.
According to Chinese health authorities, the virus is spreading to the country's northern regions. China Center for Disease Control and Prevention It was confirmed that northern China was the most severely affected. HMPV can infect people of all ages and is most common in children, raising additional public health concerns.
Although social media reports have described a critical situation, neither Chinese authorities nor the World Health Organization (WHO) have declared a state of emergency at this stage.
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There is still no vaccine for the virus discovered 20 years ago.
The outbreak of this virus has raised awareness of the need for preventive measures, especially since HMPV has been known for nearly 20 years and no vaccine exists.
Health experts are urging vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines to limit the spread of the virus. The public is advised by authorities to wash their hands, wear masks and take other precautions.
Authorities across Asia are closely monitoring the influenza outbreak and the spread of the respiratory virus in China. Strict surveillance measures are in place in areas surrounding China. For example, there are very few reported cases in Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Japanese health authorities are actively working to address the issue. As local media reported on Saturday, Japan has reported thousands of infections across the country following a major influenza outbreak. According to Japan Broadcasting Corporation, In the week ending December 15, 94,259 influenza cases were reported at 5,000 hospitals and clinics across the country. The cumulative number of infections in Japan this season has reached 718,000.
What is the HMPV virus?
According to China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a member of the genus Metapneumovirus in the family Pneumoviridae, is an enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus.
It was first detected in 2001 by Dutch academics in a nasopharyngeal aspirate sample from a child with a respiratory infection caused by an unknown pathogen. Serological studies have shown that this virus has been around for at least 60 years and is distributed worldwide as a common respiratory pathogen.
HMPV epidemic in China: symptoms, spread, and what you need to know
What is the fatality rate of HMPV infection?
Children, immunocompromised populations, and the elderly are more susceptible and more likely to be co-infected with other respiratory viruses. HMPV often causes cold symptoms such as cough, fever, stuffy nose, and wheezing, but in severe cases it can also cause bronchitis and pneumonia.
In susceptible individuals with underlying medical conditions, HMPV infection can be fatal. Based on data from a paper published in Lancet Global Health in 2021, 1% of acute lower respiratory tract infection-related deaths in children under 5 years of age can be attributed to HMPV. Currently, there is no vaccine or effective treatment for HMPV, and treatment is primarily focused on relieving symptoms.
