Rise of HMPV in China stokes new health concerns
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A rise in cases of human metapneumovirus in China is stoking fears of a new health crisis, though authorities and experts say prospects for a sequel to the COVID-19 pandemic are remote.
The big picture: HMPV is similar to respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and thought to account for about 1 in 10 respiratory illnesses in children. Though most cases are mild, some patients can develop a lower respiratory tract infection like pneumonia, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
- Children, seniors and immunocompromised individuals are most at risk, and there's no antiviral treatment or vaccine.
Driving the news: Health authorities in China are taking steps to track and contain the spread of infections, per the Independent. While they've characterized the developments as an annual winter occurrence, official media acknowledged cases of HMPV in kids under 14 are on the rise.
A spokesperson for the World Health Organization said data from China show a recent rise in acute respiratory infections, ABC News reported.
- Cases of HMPV have been recently detected in India and Malaysia, among other countries.
- In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that as of Dec. 28, 1.94% of weekly tests were positive for HMPV.
Between the lines: HMPV was first detected in 2001. Though it's been around for years, the broader use of diagnostic testing has turned up more cases and raised awareness that the virus is an important cause of upper and lower respiratory infection, per the CDC.
- Common symptoms are cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. The condition is spread through close personal contact or touching surfaces with the virus on them.
- People tend to get sickest the first time they get HMPV, before they build up immunity. Most people can manage their symptoms at home until they feel better, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Seriously ill patients may require oxygen therapy.
