Outbreak of a highly contagious virus In China He has health officials on alert.
Cases of human pneumoniae virus, or HMPV, which can lead to respiratory illness, are rising in northern China, the country's health officials said. Children aged 14 and under are said to be the most affected.
Although HMPV is not as widely known as other viruses, it is not new. The virus was first discovered in 2001 and belongs to the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Possibility of a pandemic?
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An art teacher draws a poster to raise awareness against the spread of the HMPV virus in Mumbai, India, on January 6, 2025. (Getty)
The Chinese Foreign Ministry attributed this rise to a regular seasonal increase, saying in a statement on Friday: “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter… Diseases appear less serious and spread on a smaller scale compared to the previous year.” “.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it is monitoring the virus through the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS).
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“CDC is aware of reported increases in HMPV in China, is in regular contact with international partners and monitoring reports of increased disease,” a CDC spokesperson said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.
“These reports do not currently constitute a cause for concern in the United States, although some transmission of HMPV is expected to occur throughout the year, especially during the winter. Respiratory virus season.”
The virus was first discovered in 2001 and belongs to the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the CDC. (Istock)
The agency also said: “We can expect current surveillance systems to quickly detect any increase in HMPV cases in the United States.”
“The CDC will continue to monitor and provide important updates to the public.”
Influenza A is currently leading to hospitalizations in China, according to the same source.
He added: “There is no reason to feel that the virus has taken over the world and that it has become the next pandemic, but on the other hand, it is difficult to know the full story.”
Dr. Mark Siegel, clinical Professor of Medicine At NYU Langone Health and Fox News, the chief medical analyst noted that HMPV is generally mild, but can lead to pneumonia.
“There's no reason to feel like the virus has taken over and become the next pandemic, but on the other hand, it's hard to know the full story because China may be withholding information,” he told Fox News Digital.
“CDC is aware of reported increases in HMPV in China, is in regular contact with international partners and monitoring reports of increased disease,” a CDC spokesperson said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital. (Istock)
Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a biotechnology company in San Francisco, noted that most people become infected by age 5.
“It poses a unique risk to children, but it is not thought to have the potential to spread the epidemic more widely,” he told Fox News Digital.
Symptoms and their spread
Anyone can become infected with HMPV, but groups most at risk include young children, the elderly And people with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.
The health agency stated that the symptoms of the virus in most people are similar to those of the common cold – fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath.
In cases of severe illness, HMPV can lead to Bronchitis or pneumonia.
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The CDC noted that most people will begin to feel symptoms within three to six days of exposure.
“Similar to RSV and influenza, it can be severe Young children“Older adults and people with underlying conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” Scarpino said.
Human papillomavirus (HPMV) is usually transmitted from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or close contact.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry attributed this rise to a regular seasonal increase, saying in a statement on Friday that “respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter.” (Istock)
Someone can also become infected by touching contaminated objects or surfaces.
that it Seasonal virusIn the United States, HMPV spreads primarily from winter through spring, the CDC noted.
“It's respiratory virus season, so it's a mix of influenza, COVID and RSV,” Siegel noted.
“It can be severe in young children, older adults, and people with underlying conditions.”
Glanville noted that HMPV is similar to respiratory syncytial virus in causing similar respiratory symptoms — sore throat, cough or wheezing, fever and runny nose.
“HMPV produces Cold-like symptoms in most adults, but it poses a higher risk of bronchitis, pneumonia and death in infants, and also carries an elevated risk of serious illness in older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems,” he told Fox News Digital.
Frequent hand washing is among the preventive steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Istock)
Samuel Scarpino, director of artificial intelligence and life sciences and professor of health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, agrees that the overall risk in the United States is low.
“Most people have had it at least once during childhood,” he said. “In the United States, the disease tends to peak a little later than influenza, but still in the winter months.”
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“Based on what I'm seeing, there's no concern about an HMPV pandemic, but we're all monitoring the situation in China very closely,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Right now, the United States is witnessing Large outbreaks From coronavirus, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and norovirus, there is relatively little prevalence of HMPV in the United States.”
Treatment and prevention
HMPV can be diagnosed through two different types of tests that detect the virus, according to the CDC.
The agency recommends health care professionals test for the virus in the winter and spring.
There is currently no vaccine treatment.
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“Although there is a vaccine for RSV, an HMPV vaccine has not been approved,” Glanville told Fox News Digital.
“As such, HMPV is currently treated with rest, hydration, and NSAIDs. Cold medicineIn some cases, inhalers and steroids.”
“Although there is a vaccine for RSV, an HMPV vaccine has not been approved,” an infectious disease expert told Fox News Digital. (Istock)
The CDC recommends the following prevention methods on its website.
– Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
– Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
– Avoid close contact with sick people
– Cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
– Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others if symptoms are present
-Stay home if you are sick
– Sterilize common surfaces and objects
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“Individuals should make sure of that Vaccination against CovidInfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus and to take necessary precautions such as rapid testing and masking if they develop symptoms.”
“We now have over-the-counter rapid tests that simultaneously check for influenza A, influenza B and COVID.”
