Australians are urged not to panic about the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China, as experts closely monitor the situation. Though hospital overcrowding has been reported, authorities claim infections are less severe than in previous years. Epidemiologists note that HMPV is common and typically causes mild cold-like symptoms, but can lead to more severe respiratory issues in vulnerable populations. Currently, the virus is circulating in summer, reducing transmission risk in Australia. Experts emphasize the importance of monitoring mutations and case data from China, stressing that HMPV does not pose the same pandemic threat as COVID-19.
Australians are being told not to panic over an outbreak of respiratory infection metapneumovirus (HMPV) that is reportedly overwhelming hospitals in China, but experts say We are monitoring the situation closely.
The Chinese government downplayed footage posted on social media of overcrowded waiting rooms and hospital wards, saying respiratory infections were “less severe” and “smaller in scale” than last year.
The rapid spread of the virus from China to Europe is eerily similar to the path of the coronavirus in the northern winter of 2019/20, which was also initially downplayed by Chinese authorities.
Data from the UK also shows a sharp rise in HMPV cases in recent weeks.
As of December 23, 10% of children tested for respiratory infections in hospital were found to be positive for HMPV, according to Health and Safety Executive virus surveillance data.
Epidemiologist Professor Catherine Bennett said the virus was already present in Australia.
However, she maintained that the HMPV outbreak is not an immediate threat at this time as it is now summertime and the spread of respiratory infections is contained due to an outdoor lifestyle and ventilated homes. .
“It’s important that people know it’s here,” Professor Bennett said. “This is the cause of the respiratory illnesses we had in the winter.
Australians are alarmed by reports from China of an outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). The photo shows the waiting room of a clinic in China.
Above is a clip of a video that claims to show a hospital in China being overwhelmed.
“Winter has always been the season with the highest number of hospitalizations for respiratory diseases, and that is exactly what China is experiencing right now.”
Unlike the coronavirus, HMPV is not a new virus to humans, with the first human case reported in the Netherlands in 2001.
In Australia, HMPV is the third most common virus detected in both adults and children with respiratory infections.
“They’re comparing it to the new coronavirus, which was essentially a new human virus, because no one had much immunity to the new coronavirus. We were all vulnerable,” Professor Bennett explained.
“HMPV, by contrast, is a virus that has been known throughout this century. In fact, it’s quite common.”
HMPV usually causes cold-like symptoms, including a cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever that clears up after about five days.
However, more severe symptoms can occur, such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia, in which patients experience shortness of breath, severe coughing, and wheezing.
There is still no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for HMPV, and treatment primarily involves symptom management.
HMPV is spread through small droplets expelled when an infected person breathes, but spreads much more widely when they cough or sneeze.
Infection can occur if someone nearby inhales these droplets or touches a surface contaminated with the droplets, such as a door handle, and then touches their face or mouth.
People infected with HMPV are contagious before symptoms appear, so they can spread the virus even if they don’t have symptoms themselves.
Experts warn that HMPV, which causes flu-like symptoms, can remain in the body for several days and can be easily passed on to others.
Professor Bennett warned that as the virus continues to evolve over time, it is important to remain actively involved in monitoring the spread of the disease in China.
“The reason other countries are monitoring the situation is to check for abnormal increases in cases beyond what is normally seen.”
“They want to make sure the virus hasn’t changed or our vulnerability hasn’t increased.”
Dr. Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious disease expert and associate professor of medicine and psychology at the Australian National University, said China should “share data on the outbreak in a timely manner,” including “data on who is infected.” “That is extremely important,” he said.
He added: “We will also need genomic data to confirm that HMPV is the culprit and that there are no significant mutations of concern.”
Virus expert Dr. Andrew Catchpole said it was unclear how many people had been infected in China.
“HMPV is usually detected in winter, but it appears that the rate of severe infection in China may be higher than expected in normal years,” he explained.
“More information about the specific strain that is circulating is needed to understand whether this is a commonly circulating strain or if there are some differences in the virus that are causing the high infection rate in China. It is necessary.”
Encouragingly, Dr Catchpole said that although HMPV “mutates and changes over time as new strains emerge”, it is “not a virus that is considered to have pandemic potential”. .
Professor Jill Kerr, a virologist at Flinders University School of Medicine and Public Health, also warned that the current outbreak in China was unlikely to cause a global crisis.
Leading epidemiologist Professor Catherine Bennett reassured the public that the HPMPV outbreak does not pose a significant threat at this time as it is currently summer in Australia, a season when respiratory infections are less likely to occur. Ta.
“This is very different from the COVID-19 pandemic, as this virus is completely new to humans, arose from infection in animals, and there was no prior exposure or protective immunity in the community,” he said. “It has spread to pandemic levels.” ‘
“While the scientific community also has some understanding of the genetic diversity and epidemiology of HMPV, the types of effects the virus has on the lungs, and established clinical testing methods, this also means that new lung diseases have emerged. It’s very different from the COVID-19 pandemic.” There was little information about how the virus changes and spreads, and there were no early diagnostic tests. ”
Dr Jacqueline Stevens, associate professor of public health at Flinders University, agreed.
“We’re just more cautious now about the spread of infection,” Dr. Stevens said.
“Everyone is hyper-vigilant, and when you hear the word human metapneumovirus, it sounds kind of scary.”
