China is grappling with a new virus outbreak just five years after Covid-19 emerged, with the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) causing havoc across the country. Social media reports suggest hospitals are in chaos and crematoriums are overflowing due to the virus.
Multiple viruses, including influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19, are currently circulating in China. Rumours of Beijing declaring a state of emergency are rife, but no official confirmation has been given.
The virus, which is more prevalent in winter and spring, can cause flu-like symptoms and affect the upper respiratory system. In some cases, it can lead to lower respiratory infections.
Symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, and shortness of breath. The virus spreads through coughing, sneezing, or person-to-person contact.
It's believed to incubate from three to six days and can last varying lengths depending on the severity of the infection. One of the main dangers is that HMPV can cause severe illnesses like pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, asthma, and COPD, posing a threat to life, reports the Mirror.
Young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at risk of developing more severe illnesses if they catch the virus. NDTV reports that to avoid contracting HMPV, there are several steps people can take... In September, a health expert issued a grave warning about the lesser-known virus, which currently has no vaccine.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Dr. Samer Sader from Carle Health in the US underscored the risks associated with hMPV, pointing out that it could be deadly for approximately one in 10 young children who become infected. Unlike flu and Covid-19, there are no vaccines or specific treatments available for this virus.
Dr. Sader explained: "The people we do worry about are the people who are getting treatments for cancer, people who are getting treatments for auto-immune disorders, and people who have chronic lung diseases such as bad emphysema, or COPD."
He added: "It's just a matter of watching for complications. We'll ask patients, 'Does your lung disease get worse? Do you need more medicine? Do you get secondary pneumonia? Do you get in trouble because you're not eating and drinking enough? That's what we look for."
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English (United States) ·