to be more transparent about a severe outbreak of a highly contagious illness that has caused multiple hospitalizations — as statistics indicate a significant increase in cases in the United States.
There are reports on social media and reports of crematoriums and funeral homes being overcrowded with bodies.
Some common symptoms of a cold include a stuffy nose, headache, chills, and fatigue.
It is crucial for China to rapidly share relevant data regarding the ongoing outbreak, including specifics about the demographics of those being affected.
He also said: ‘*’We will need genomic data that confirms HMPV is the responsible agent, and that there are no worrying genetic mutations. This genomic data will also direct the development of vaccines.’
The silence from China has raised concerns that the situation may resemble the initial downplaying of the Covid outbreak in 2019.
Their warning coincides with the United States experiencing a surge in HMPV cases, with positive test rates more than doubling from the start of December to its end.
Approximately 300 positive test results were reported last week of December, the most recent data available.
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) was first identified in 2001, and it generally causes symptoms similar to those of a common cold.
However, more severe symptoms, such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia, can occur. Those affected may experience shortness of breath, a severe cough, or wheezing.
Individuals such as children, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to severe outcomes.
The precise fatality rate of the virus cannot be determined as most cases result in mild symptoms, however, researchers estimate that between 10 and 30 percent of American patients hospitalized with HMPV succumb to the virus.
Dr. Senanayake warned that China’s surge in HMPV cases is comparable to a severe influenza season in the US, and was unlikely to become a global issue.
season.
‘This effect may occur due to a combination of viral and behavioral factors, but it’s expected to stabilize.’
Vasso Apostolopoulos, an immunology professor at RMIT University in Australia, pointed out that the sharp increase in cases and skyrocketing pressure on healthcare systems in densely populated areas such as China necessitates more stringent surveillance measures.
She emphasized: ‘Ensuring that thorough monitoring and swift responses occur will be crucial to minimizing the public health risks of this outbreak.’
The Chinese Center for Disease Control has cautioned people to take necessary precautions such as washing their hands but countered claims that hospitals would be overburdened.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated that: “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season.”
It seems that the diseases are manifesting with a lesser severity and broader dispersion in comparison to the year prior.
Similar to COVID-19, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is transmitted through respiratory droplets released into the air when a person coughs or sneezes. Additionally, close personal contact, such as shaking hands, as well as touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, can also spread the disease.
Expert research indicates that approximately nine out of every hundred respiratory illnesses in US children are caused by HMPV.
The most typical symptoms are fever, cough, congestion, and shortness of breath, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that approximately 20,000 children under five years old are hospitalized with Human Metapneumovirus in the United States each year.
Unfortunately, there are at present no vaccines or specific treatments available for this disease.
Professor John Tregoning, a leading expert in vaccine immunology at Imperial College London, stated: ‘Human metapneumovirus, commonly known as HMPV, is an established virus, not a new one, as it was first isolated in the year 2001, but its existence is likely to have been present for a longer period of time.
It has very similar symptoms to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children, at least. It’s part of the mix of winter viruses we’re exposed to.
Similar to other respiratory viruses, a wide variety of symptoms and severity can manifest. Possible risk factors encompass age (either very young or very elderly) and pre-existing weakened immune systems.
As with other viruses, it will spread through coughs, sneezes, and in tiny droplets. Protecting yourself by being in well-ventilated areas, covering your mouth when you cough, and washing your hands can all be helpful.
It will present similarly to the flu, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV, so the same guidance applies for those impacted – rest, consume plenty of fluids, and try not to spread it to others.’
Flinders University medicine and public health professor Jill Carr, an expert in viruses, indicated that the outbreak in China is not expected to be a global issue.
She noted: ‘This scenario is distinctly different from the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the virus was completely novel to humans and emerged from an animal spill-over, rapidly spreading to pandemic levels due to the lack of pre-existing immunity in the community.’
‘The scientific community has also gained some understanding of the genetic diversity and epidemiology of HPMV, the nature of its impact on the lungs, and established laboratory testing methods – differing dramatically from the COVID-19 pandemic, where a novel lung disease was observed, there was little insight into how the virus might mutate and spread, and we lacked initial diagnostic tests.’
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been identified as a substantial concern for populations at risk worldwide since the early 2000s when it was initially discovered.
This risk has remained relatively stable for nearly 25 years.
According to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS), a CDC database, US cases of HMPV are increasing compared to this time last year.
Data from the week of December 28, the latest available, shows a test positivity rate of 1.9 percent. Out of about 13,800 total tests for that week, that adds up to just under 300 confirmed cases.
The test positivity rate in the week of November 30 was 0.9 percent, which is half of what it was the following month.
At the same time last year, the CDC reported a 1.2 percent test positivity rate.
However, Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia in the UK, stated that it can be challenging to identify year-over increases because HMPV is detected using molecular tests, such as PCR tests, which are the same type used to detect COVID.
He said: “One of the challenges involved in these types of infections is that they are being diagnosed more frequently as we move to molecular diagnostic panels, so it’s not always easy to determine whether year-over-year increases are due to actual increases or simply because we’re diagnosing a larger proportion of infections.”
He noted that the UK has experienced a ‘distinct increase in cases in recent weeks’ comparable to the US, with numbers similar to those seen at this time last year.
He stated: ‘In my opinion, there doesn’t appear to be any severe global problems at present.’
Dr. Jacqueline Stephens, a senior lecturer in public health at Flinders University in Australia, stated: ‘I believe we’re just more vigilant about outbreaks now.’
‘Everyone is being extremely vigilant, and you hear about this term “human metapneumovirus” and it sounds quite alarming.’
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