What is HMPV, Symptoms, and How it spread?
People are wondering what HMPV is and how it spread due to its raise in China making people fear of another pandemic. HMPV is a flu-like human metapneumovirus. A lot of patients have masked up as some photos of hospitals popped up in the internet but experts claimed HMPV is nothing like COVID and it has been there for many years.
It is said that, HMPV is typically seen in winter because China and other countries are just experiencing the seasonal increase in HMPV.
HMPV was first identify in Netherlands in the year 2001 and it spread through the contact of two or more people or when a contaminated surface is been touched by a person.
HMPV is almost not so different from flu and this virus leads to a mild upper respiratory tract infection for almost all people where the symptoms are blocked nose, cough and a fever.
According to An Infectious Diseases Specialist In Singapore, Hsu Li Yang, children under two are most vulnerable to HMPV and also adult with weak immune system, including people with advanced cancer.
Small and significant people with immunocompromised can develop more disease to the extent where their lungs are affected with wheezing, symptoms of croup and also wheezing if infected.
Dr Hus said smaller proportion of infected people are at risk of dying, many of the infected will need hospital care.
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Why are HMPV Cases Rising In China?
HMPV survive better in cold hence is most active during late winter and spring like many other respiratory infections. It can be easily spread between people as most people spend more time indoors with their windows close during winter.
The Current increase of HMPV coincides with the low temperatures and it is expected to last until march in Northern China.
According to An Epidemiologist At Flinders University In Australia Jacqueline Stephens, countries in the northern hemisphere which includes the United States will also experience a growth in HMPV.
She added that, “While This Is Concerning, The Increase Prevalence is Likely the normal seasonal increase seen in winter”
World Health Organization (WHO) said it has not received any reports of any unusual outbreaks in anywhere or chine but they are monitoring the rates of flu-like illness across all northern side countries.
Chinese Government have made it clear that their health care system is not overwhelmed and no emergency have been declared.
Will There Be COVID-like Pandemic?
People fear COVID-style pandemic but experts have concluded that HMPV is not a new virus, most pandemics are caused by new viruses.
According to Dr Hsu, the virus has been around for decades globally which means people world wide have “some degree of existing immunity due to previous exposure”.
According to A Medical Professor At University Of East Anglia in England Paul Hunter, “Almost every child will have at least one infection with HMPV by their fifth birthday and we can expect to go onto to have multiple reinfections throughout life”.
He added “I don’t think there are currently any signs of a more serious global issue.”
Precautions To Avoid Catching HMPV;
1. Avoid Crowded Place If Possible
2. Wear Nose Mask In Crowded Areas
3. Wash your hands regular and have sanitizer with you regularly.
4. Dispose tissues securely.
