Red alert in China: a new respiratory virus , HMPV, is causing growing concern among health authorities and the population. As the number of infections increases rapidly, especially among children and the elderly, hospitals are becoming increasingly concerned in the wake of what happened with the COVID-19 pandemic .
HMPV , or human metapneumovirus, is a respiratory virus first identified in 2001. It belongs to the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and can infect individuals of all ages .
However, it is young children , the elderly and immunocompromised people who are most at risk of developing serious complications. According to the latest data, the number of cases in China’s provinces in the north has alarmingly increased. Especially among youngsters under the age of 14.
Symptoms are similar to those of a common cold or seasonal flu: cough , nasal congestion , fever , sore throat . And, in more severe cases, wheezing and difficulty breathing . In the most vulnerable patients, the infection can lead to serious complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia or worsening of pre-existing asthma .
Despite the alarming images coming from China. The government is trying to downplay the seriousness of the situation, reassuring citizens and international travellers about the safety of the country.
However, public health experts are closely monitoring the evolving epidemiological picture. As HMPV is not the only virus currently circulating : influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae. And even Covid-19 are also spreading alongside it.But there are those who, in a crazy way, have started with an advantage .https://youtu.be/nzFWPHGvVP8?si=UherQnGJuJ3iLMiR
Health officials in other countries, such as India’s health ministry, say there is no cause for alarm at this time . However, the rapid rise in cases in china highlights the importance of maintaining high levels of vigilance against respiratory viruses. Especially in a world still deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.