HMPV: The virus spreading in China is not new, its cases have been seen before; then why so much concern this time?

China is currently in the grip of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection. According to media reports, similar conditions have been seen in China in recent times as was the case during the peak of the Corona epidemic. According to reports, there is a huge crowd at the hospital and crematorium. Some reports are expressing concern that the situation in China is like this and if this virus spreads to other countries, then the world may have to face another pandemic within five years. The complications caused by HMPV are very similar to coronavirus, which has scared people even more.

Human Metapneumovirus has raised many questions in the minds of people. Is this a new virus, how dangerous is it and what kind of problems can it cause? Let us understand this in detail.

Human metapneumovirus is not new

Human metapneumovirus has been in the news since the infection increased in China, although it is not a new virus. It was first identified in the year 2001. Cases of this infectious disease have been reported from time to time all over the world. Even two decades after the virus was identified, neither a vaccine has been developed to prevent it nor is there any specific treatment for it. Due to the absence of any vaccine for HMPV, it has been the cause of serious respiratory disease globally and this has remained a cause of concern this time too.

Now as the cases of this infectious disease are increasing in China, concerns are also increasing about the danger of the virus and the lack of treatments.

Discovered by Dutch scientists, more than 10 thousand people die annually

According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), HMPV belongs to the Pneumoviridae family and the Metapneumovirus genus. It was first discovered by Dutch scientists who identified it in nasopharyngeal aspirates from children with respiratory infections.

In 2018, an estimated 11,300 people died from this infectious disease. According to the Cleveland Clinic report, there is still no specific drug available to treat people suffering from the infection. Some of those who are identified with this infection may also require serious complications and hospitalization due to the infection. Symptoms of the infection have been relieved so far with the help of supportive therapy such as IV fluids and corticosteroids.

Increasing disease in children is a matter of concern

The increase in cases of HMPV respiratory infection in China has increased the pressure on healthcare facilities, especially children's hospitals. Local media reports suggest that with the onset of winter in the country, the number of pneumonia patients in hospitals has increased significantly. A large number of children are being seen affected by it. Experts say that there has probably been a new mutation in the virus due to which the situation has worsened so rapidly in China, although studies are still being done to confirm this.

A report by the China CDC shows that the total number of respiratory infections this year is less than in the year 2023, but there has been a significant increase in the number of cases of HMPV and other respiratory viruses, which is being seen more especially in children under the age of 14.

Experts suggested measures for prevention

Health experts say that like corona, there can be a risk of HMPV spreading from an infected person to another person. There can be a risk of this infection by touching droplets released by coughing and sneezing, infected surfaces. Special precautions need to be taken to prevent infectious disease. Keep washing your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Apart from this, cover your nose and mouth and clean your hands while sneezing and coughing.

Maintain distance from people who have symptoms of this disease and avoid close contact. Try to strengthen your immunity. People with weak immunity are more at risk.