News Brief
After COVID-19, China Faces New Health Concern With Human Metapneumovirus Outbreak
The Covid outbreak in China.
Five years after the Covid-19 outbreak, several regions in China are now dealing with the spread of human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
Discovered in 2001 by Dutch researchers analysing samples of children with respiratory infections, HMPV has emerged as a significant health concern.
Chinese authorities have advised citizens to wear masks and wash hands regularly to curb the virus’ spread.
The current surge in HMPV infections has prompted widespread screening, detection, and isolation measures to address potential 'unknown' pathogens.
Although the virus has affected numerous schools, the Chinese government has claimed that no unusual or novel pathogens have been identified.
HMPV primarily impacts children and the elderly, causing upper and lower respiratory diseases.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the symptoms of HMPV are similar to other common winter-season viral illnesses.
China's CDC describes HMPV as an RNA virus belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, Metapneumovirus genus.
Studies suggest that HMPV has existed for over six decades and is now a widespread pathogen globally.
A report published in The Lancet Global Health in 2021 highlighted the virus's severe impact, noting that HMPV accounted for nearly 1 per cent of deaths among children under five with acute lower respiratory infections.
Despite its prevalence, there is currently no vaccine available for HMPV.
