A spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Margaret Harris, has said that the respiratory virus surge in China, particularly the human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is expected for winter, and no emergencies have been declared in the country.
Harris clarified this while addressing the rising concerns about respiratory viruses in China during a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday.
According to Harris, there has been considerable media interest in respiratory viruses circulating in China, including the hMPV.
According to data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the surge involves familiar pathogens, including seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hMPV, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Harris noted, “Seasonal influenza is the most common virus detected, with over 30% test positivity among flu-like cases in late December.”
The WHO confirmed that China’s reported levels of respiratory infections were within the normal range for winter, and hospital utilization is currently lower than this time last year.
“There have been no emergency declarations or emergency responses triggered,” Harris added.
Clarifying misconceptions about hMPV, Harris explained that, like any of the hundreds of common cold viruses known to exist, it can lead to more serious disease in patients with low immunity, particularly, but not limited to, newborns and the elderly.
“It is not a new virus. hMPV was first identified in 2001 and has been in the human population for a long time, typically causing symptoms similar to the common cold.”
When asked about hMPV’s mortality rate, Harris described it as “very, very low.”
It is not a pathogen that normally leads to deaths in humans, save for the most vulnerable, she concluded.
She urged the public to take preventive measures, emphasising, “We’ve all been well-trained by COVID-19, simple precautions like hand hygiene (handwashing), wearing a mask, improving ventilation, and avoiding crowded places can effectively reduce the risk of infections.”
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