Prime Highlights:
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is on the rise in China, particularly among children in northern provinces.
HMPV is known to cause flu-like symptoms like cough, fever, and fatigue.
China has introduced new monitoring measures, such as a pilot program to monitor pneumonia cases of unknown origin, to ensure proper reporting.
Key Background:
China is experiencing a significant rise in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, with hospital beds and doctors overwhelmed by increasing cases among children in northern provinces. Public alarm is rising along with hospital congestion. This epidemic has brought authorities to establish some new monitoring but they are attempting to play it down as another seasonal peak of respiratory infections.
HMPV is a respiratory virus first described in 2001. The symptoms of the disease are usually those of a common cold or flu, which include coughing, fever, nasal congestion, and fatigue. However, the disease can be severe and result in pneumonia in the elderly, infants, and immunocompromised individuals. It is spread through droplets in the air or through contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus. No specific antiviral treatment or vaccine is available, and treatment mainly focuses on symptomatic relief.
The outbreak occurs during a time of cold weather in northern China when people tend to stay indoors, such conditions promote the proliferation of respiratory viruses. Reports on the increase in cases of pneumonia, including HMPV, are on the rise over winter. The National Disease Control and Prevention Administration has implemented a pilot program for the surveillance of cases of pneumonia of unknown origin, besides effective reporting of cases.
Although the World Health Organization has not declared the outbreak a global health emergency, there are growing concerns in neighboring countries. Hong Kong, Cambodia, and Taiwan are keeping a close eye on the situation because HMPV may pose a significant threat to vulnerable groups. Health officials in India, however, have calmed the public down, saying that HMPV is just like other respiratory viruses and does not deserve alarm.
China’s Foreign Ministry has attempted to downplay the concern also as it cited the fact that it is the state that primarily centers on public health and therefore does ensure safe tourism in China. The new increase is nothing more than typical diseases of a regular winter pattern for respiratory types, the authorities cited from China.
