The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) announced yesterday the detection of two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) through routine surveillance in the southern province of Guangdong.
Both patients are infants under the age of ten months and are currently undergoing treatment. A three-month-old female patient has been discharged from the hospital, while an eight-month-old male is steadily recovering.
In addition to these cases, Chinese media outlets have reported another instance of HMPV in the eastern province of Zhejiang, raising concerns among public health officials about the virus’s spread.
HMPV is a respiratory virus that presents symptoms similar to the flu or the common cold. It poses significant risks to vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. In severe cases, HMPV can lead to complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Typical symptoms of HMPV infection include persistent cough, fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Health authorities are urging the public to adopt preventive measures to curb the virus’s transmission. These measures include staying home when ill, practicing good cough etiquette, wearing masks in crowded places, and maintaining rigorous hand hygiene.
In a press release, the CCDC emphasized that both HMPV cases were identified through their ongoing surveillance programs, which monitor multiple respiratory viral pathogens across the nation. Despite these findings, current data from the CCDC and the National Disease Surveillance Network indicate that there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in China.
Situation in Bhutan
Meanwhile, Bhutan has reported no cases of HMPV as of yesterday, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH). In a statement released on January 4, the MoH assured the public that the risk of HMPV within the country remains low. The ministry continues to monitor both domestic and global situations to assess potential risks.
“The Royal Centre for Disease Control (RCDC) conducts National Respiratory Virus Sentinel Surveillance through seven Influenza-like Illness (ILI) sentinel hospitals and eleven Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) sentinel hospitals,” the ministry stated. These sentinel hospitals follow strict surveillance case definitions, collect necessary clinical specimens, and relay weekly aggregate data to the RCDC. Currently, the collected samples are analyzed for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and other respiratory viruses like RSV using RT-PCR technology.
During epidemiological weeks 50 and 51 (December 16-29), Bhutan received 56 samples from sentinel sites, detecting 11 cases of Influenza and three cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections. “Currently, no active Influenza outbreak has been reported in the country,” the MoH added. Although Bhutan possesses diagnostic capabilities, including RT-PCR and gene sequencing, it currently lacks reagents for HMPV testing. Efforts are underway to procure the necessary materials should the situation escalate.
The incubation period for HMPV is estimated to be three to six days, with the median duration of illness varying based on severity but remaining comparable to other viral respiratory infections.
Global Concerns
Health experts globally have raised alarms about the potential for widespread HMPV transmission, reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact. The virus’s ease of spread, combined with the absence of available antiviral treatments or vaccines, heightens concerns. However, several vaccines are currently under development.
In light of these developments, international health authorities have cautioned travelers to reconsider their plans to visit China temporarily. In response, Beijing issued a press statement on January 3 addressing these concerns. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season,” aiming to reassure both domestic and international audiences.
As of now, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not issued an official statement regarding the HMPV cases in China, nor has it declared a state of emergency. Nevertheless, a viral video circulating on social media depicts overwhelmed hospitals in China grappling with a severe flu outbreak, including cases of Influenza A and HMPV, drawing parallels to the Covid-19 surge in 2020.
HMPV, which has been reported in numerous countries, was first identified in the Netherlands in 2001. Research indicates that the virus has been circulating among humans for at least five decades, with outbreaks typically concentrated during colder seasons.
Health authorities worldwide continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures and ongoing surveillance to mitigate the virus’s impact.
