- The HMPV virus was discovered in the Netherlands in 2001 and has since spread to the rest of the planet.
- Its symptomatology is quite similar to that of influenza, Covid-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) because it causes a dry cough, runny nose, sore throat and fever.
- At present there is no specific antiviral therapy for its treatment or a vaccine available.
The world is in a make-or-break world with regard to global health. On the one hand, the Covid-19 pandemic is no longer considered an international emergency, although it does not imply that there are no longer cases. At the same time, new concern has now been generated by the increase in the number of cases of the Human Metapneumovirus Virus (HMPV).
In this sense, one of the characteristics of the winter season is the increase in respiratory diseases. One of the reasons is not exactly the drop in temperature, but rather the fact that most people remain locked up in their homes or work spaces. As a consequence, there is a greater circulation of pathogens indoors.
newly discovered viruses
Now, within the variety of virus that have been identified is HMPV. It was discovered in the Netherlands in 2001 and since then it has spread to the rest of the planet.
This pathogen usually causes mild respiratory illness; however, when it infects children, the elderly, and people with immunodeficiency, it can cause severe complications such as pneumonia.
Cases of little-known respiratory virus HMPV emerged this spring https://t.co/Ugco5QAvv4
—Microsoft News (@microsoftnews) May 30, 2023
But although this disease is more common in the winter season, during the current spring a distinctive phenomenon has been generated. I agree with you US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) an atypical increase has been registered.
Derived from the above, there are intensive care units of some hospitals in the American Union that have been filled with young children and the elderly, who are the most vulnerable.
“The estimated incubation period is 3-6 days, and the median duration of illness can vary depending on severity, but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses.”
With this in mind, according to the posted on CNN, its peak occurred in mid-March. At that time, almost 11% of the samples tested were positive for the HMPV virus. This is a figure that is 36% higher than the mean of the pre-pandemic seasonal peak of 7% positivity in the tests.
According to research, humans are the only known host of this virus. It is also known that it is transmitted from one person to another by inhaling small droplets from respiratory secretions.
List of symptoms it causes
With respect to the symptoms it causes, the following stand out: dry cough, runny nose, sore throat and fever. Due to the above, it is estimated that many people may have been infected and not know it. The picture is quite similar to that of influenza, Covid-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The only way to accurately identify the type of infection is with a PCR test.
For now, doctors agree that the HMPV virus should receive more attention so that it stops going unnoticed. While another aspect of great relevance is that currently there is no specific antiviral therapy for its treatment nor is there a vaccine available.
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