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Will the outbreak of human metapneumovirus become an epidemic respiratory disease? HMPV has probably been around for centuries and most people have already been infected at least once in their lifetime.
The National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention of China has reported a outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in some areas of the Asian country.
In a television press conference, the Health authorities said several common infections were circulating in China during the cold months and warned against using antiviral drugs to treat illnesses.
What is the current status of HMPV?
In this new outbreak of a known and relatively well-studied virus, that probably has circulated among humans for hundreds of years.
In the last weeksa has been reported HMPV cases on the rise among young people in northern China. They have also ncreased cases of rhinovirus, one of the main causes of common colds..
Also, the India's health ministry confirmed two cases of human metapneumovirus. However, no such incident has been recorded. "unusual increase" of cases of flu or severe respiratory illnesses in the country.
To Jacqueline Stephens, epidemiologist at Flinders University in Australia, the Increased incidence is normal in winter. The virus It is also a common cause of childhood respiratory diseases, the scientist indicates.
Jill Carr, virologist from the same academic institution, explains that the HMPV outbreak in China is very different from the coronavirus pandemic, since that The virus was completely new to humans and there was no protective immunity.
Similar to VRS.
El Human metapneumovirus comes from the same viral family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which also causes short-term infections.
Like the VRS, HMPV is a common seasonal infection in the colder months, but has the potential to reach epidemic levels, when a high rate of infection occurs at a given time.
Before a Dutch-led research group first identified HMPV in 28 Dutch children in 2001, Cases were often misdiagnosed as RSV because their symptoms were very similar.
"We discovered that All children over 5 years of age had antibodies against this virus [HMPV]", Albert Osterhaus tells DW, that led the first study as a member of the Department of Virology at Erasmus Medical University Rotterdam.
Osterhaus now Virologist at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, And its Colleagues have concluded that HMPV has been circulating in humans for hundreds of years.
A Difference between coronavirus and flu, Human metapneumovirus also appears to be relatively stable, that is to say that the Mutations are less frequent and reinfection occurs over time as immunity wanes.
HMPV symptoms.
The HMPV causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections.
The Symptoms may include:
Cough.
Fever.
Congestion of the nasal passages.
In the More serious cases may occur:
Bronchitis.
Pneumonia.
The virus is transmitted through exposure to airborne aerosols expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. as well as by Contact with contaminated surfaces, including physical contact with hands or skin, in general.
Is there a treatment or vaccine?
Nowadays, There is no treatment or vaccine for human metapneumovirus.
Preventive measures include good hygiene, Avoid contact with infected people and use masks.
A vaccine is being developed, Osterhaus assures, which predicts it will be available "in the next few years".
Source: https://www.dw.com/es/lo-que-hay-que-saber-sobre-el-brote-del-virus-hmpv-en-china/a-71242069
