A viral video has been getting widespread attention on the internet as amidst reports of an outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. The video showed a crowded hospital, suggesting a rise of numerous viral infections such as HMPV, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19 in China.
“Hospitals in China are overwhelmed by a severe flu" outbreak, including Influenza A and HMPV, drawing comparisons to the 2020 COVID surge,” a user who shared the video claimed.
READ HERE | New virus in China: How human metapneumovirus is transmitted and what are its symptoms?
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that attacks the upper and lower ends of the respiratory tract. The symptoms include the common cold, cough, fever, and nasal congestion. People with weak respiratory health, weakened immune systems, would be the most affected along with children under the age of five. People above the age of 65 should also try not to contract the HMPV, medical experts warn.
Similar to other respiratory viruses, HMPV spreads when respiratory droplets of an infected person come in contact with another individual. They can also transmit through touch, which sparks serious concern about whether there will be another pandemic. With an incubation period of three to six days, the duration of the infection would be dependent on its severity.
There is no antiviral therapy to treat HMPV as of now, but adhering to a few measures can help take a small step toward preventing the spread of this infection: washing your hands frequently with soap and water and avoiding touching your face when unwashed, wearing a mask, and avoiding sharing cups and utensils with others.
Pilot systems have been launched by China’s disease control authorities to monitor the cases and have also issued protocols requiring laboratories to report cases of HMPV. As the country prepares itself to fight this influenza, the World Health Organization continues its research on HMPV.
“We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of COVID-19. This is a moral and scientific imperative. Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.”, the World Health Organisation stated.
