China’s Wuyan Province has lately been experiencing an increase of cases of acute respiratory infections.
During winter seasons globally, a lot of flu-like conditions emerge in a lot of countries with viruses like respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, rhinovirus, Coronavirus to mention just, but a few.
2019 was a tough year for the entire world as there arose a dreaded novel virus in the form of Covid-19, which later went to kill more than seven million people globally.
The fourth recorded pandemic of the century came after the 1918 Spanish flu, 1957 Asian Flu, 1968 Hong Kong Flu.
The good news is that Maurice Hilleman, an American Microbiologist, quickly made vaccines which helped to contain the deadly pandemics.
Today, the same Wuyan province, which recorded the first Covid-19 cases, is recording what seems to be an outbreak of another respiratory virus, the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is moving quickly in China likely due to the prevailing low temperatures that are expected to last until March.
HMPV is a common respiratory virus that was first discovered in the Netherlands in 2001.
This virus is relatively common with worldwide distribution and has so far been discovered in almost all continents.
It is most common in winter and spring
How can the virus be transmitted?
In general, respiratory infections are caused by a variety of pathogens that include bacteria, viruses and fungi.
For viral infections, airborne transmission via droplets and aerosols enables a lot of viruses to spread efficiently among humans.
Respiratory infections are spread from person to person through taking in droplets when someone with the virus breathes, coughs, sneezes or by merely touching a contaminated surface or object.
Touching a contaminated surface then failing to wash hands or sanitise them may be catastrophic if one touches eyes, nose or mouth.
HMPV is transmitted the same way as Covid-19, hence the same mitigatory and containment measures should be employed.
What are the symptoms of Human Metapneumovirus?
Like Covid-19, HMPV can present with the following symptoms which can range from mild to severe respiratory disease.
lCough
lFever
l Blocked nose
l Severe headache
l Runny nose
l Sore throat
lJoint pains and weakness
lShortness of breadth
Risk factors of Human Metapneumovirus
Symptoms of this virus can range from mild to severe depending on the risk profile of patients. The following categories of patients can have higher risk of complications from the MMPV:
lThose aged more than 60 years
lChildren under the age of 14
lThose with immunosuppression like HIV and Aids, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, active cancer
lPregnant mothers
lShould there be fear about another Covid-19-like pandemic?
My view is that there will not be a pandemic like the one we experienced with Covid-19 as serious global outbreaks are usually caused by new viruses, which is not the case with HMPV, a virus which has been in existence for close to 24 years now.
The infections from HMPV have been globally present for decades with possibility of existing immunity due to previous exposure.
