FLASH
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Following the alarming scenes over the past week in China comes the announcement that schools in Wuhan have begun to close in an effort to curb the spread of HMPV.
Over the past week, alarming reports and images of overcrowded hospitals in parts of China have emerged in connection with a respiratory disease called HMPV.
The scenes are extremely familiar, close to the early days of COVID-19, which turned into a global pandemic that claimed millions of lives. Although Chinese officials initially played down the virus, now schools in Wuhan - widely known as the birthplace of the coronavirus - have been closed.
According to Munsif Daily, the virus - initially believed to be a "mystery", is now confirmed to have been discovered in 2001 - has grown particularly in Wuhan, where authorities took action after 30 children fell ill.
Rapid increase in infections
The number of confirmed cases of HMPV has increased by 529% in the last 10 days alone, with hospitals across the country seeing an overwhelming number of patients seeking treatment. The virus is a significant concern because of its ability to affect both young children and the elderly more severely. Symptoms of the virus include runny nose, sore throat, fever, cough, fatigue and headache, which are typical of respiratory infections. These were precautionary measures to try to limit the transmission of the virus, the media reports. Officials in Karnataka, India are also taking action. The government there has issued a public advisory to avoid crowded areas if you have symptoms of HMPV and to wear a mask, after three cases of the respiratory virus were detected.
Despite the reversal of coronavirus-related precautions, Indian authorities have urged the public to remain calm, stressing that HMPV is not new and is circulating in India and around the world. Reports say that, as of November, a 6-month-old baby in Kolkata had already contracted HMPV. HMPV, first identified in 2001, belongs to the same family as measles and mumps. Despite its official discovery in 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes the virus has been around since at least the mid-1950s.
WHO is looking for more information
The World Health Organization has called on China to provide more detailed information about the virus and its situation. WHO emphasized the importance of conducting further research and investigation into HMPV, as it may pose a significant threat to public health, especially in densely populated areas.
The reaction of the Chinese government
Despite the rising cases, the Chinese government has sought to reassure the public, saying there is no need to panic. The authorities have assured the citizens that the situation is under control, although caution is advised due to the increase in respiratory diseases during the winter season. Health officials are urging the public to follow precautionary guidelines to reduce the risk of infection.
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