Metapnemovirus, which affects the respiratory tract (HMPV), which was discovered in China, does not represent the risk of a new epidemic. The representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) Margaret Harris noted about this in an interview with Anadolu that the human
According to her, HMPV is not a new type of viruses. “This is one of the common viruses causing a cold. It was first detected in the Netherlands in 2001. But we believe that it is present in the human population for many generations. Most people antibodies against him are produced by five years, since this is one of the viruses that most often circulates in winter and causes a cold, ”she explained.
WHO representative noted that China authorities are very carefully monitoring the situation with the spread of various respiratory infections. “Only about 5 of the respiratory infections detected in China are associated with the HMPV virus, in most cases this disease is seasonal flu. It will not cause a new pandemic. We do not see any special problems with this virus,” she said.
Harris emphasized that China informs the WHO in all viruses identified among the population. “There is no emergency in China, and the country’s hospitals also have no emergency,” she assured.
The agency’s interlocutor recalled that cases of HMPV virus infection in addition to China were identified in other countries. According to her, this is not a particular problem for the healthcare system. She indicated that a more pressing issue at the moment is an increase in the number of cases of seasonal flu.
At the same time, Harris emphasized that the most vulnerable categories of the population should be vaccinated. She called on those who have not yet passed vaccination, immediately do this.
“It is very important that all countries are ready for the spread of respiratory diseases and new viruses. It is extremely important that the World Epidemiological Supervision System retains vigilance. After all, the best way to stop any flash is to identify the growth of the number of cases of disease at the time of their occurrence”, -she said.