BASIC MEASURES WILL KEEP HMPV AT BAY

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Experts: Virus is common and no cause for panic

 GEORGE TOWN: Despite the spread of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) that brings runny noses to common influenza-like illnesses, Malaysians can still go on their Chinese New Year holidays with peace of mind, say health experts.

Most of the viruses that cause these respiratory disorders are present in Malaysia throughout the year but infection spikes in temperate countries during their winter months can increase local infection rates due to international travel, they said.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) family medicine specialist Dr Mastura Mohd Sopian said HMPV, which is recording a significant number of cases in China, had affected Malaysia due to the heavy flow of travellers between the two countries.

She said genetically, HMPV shares similarities with Covid-19, as both are ribonucleic acid (RNA) based viruses.

“HMPV is not as severe as Covid-19, particularly in terms of transmission risk. It doesn’t spread as quickly nor is it as dangerous as Covid-19.

“While its structure is somewhat similar, the replication process and other genetic factors differ, making it less impactful compared with Covid-19,” she said.

Dr Mastura said the basic precautions learned during the pandemic years are enough to keep HMPV at bay – these include frequent hand-washing, wearing masks, avoiding crowded places and limiting activities in enclosed spaces like malls.

ALSO READ: Health Ministry monitoring rise in acute respiratory infections

USM virologist Dr Kumitaa Theva Das said HMPV is a common virus and most adults would have been infected by it at least once.

“They might not realise it because the symptoms are so much like the flu. There have been cases where the symptoms can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia in those who are very young or elderly with a weakened immune system, but these are rare.

“Like any virus, HMPV can spread when in close contact with droplets left by an infected person, through coughing and sneezing.

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“We could also become exposed if we touch our mouth, nose or eyes after touching an infected surface.

“Since HMPV infections occur in younger children, families travelling with kids can be more mindful and seek medical help if a respiratory infection is prolonged or gets more severe,” she added.

State health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said so far the situation in Penang is under control and tightly monitored by health authorities there.

He advised the public to take the same safety measures they did during the Covid-19 pandemic as a precaution and to prevent further spread.

He said those who experience prolonged or worsening symptoms should seek medical attention immediately at the nearest healthcare facility.

Gooi added that the public can use the same techniques they used during the pandemic, like always covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, either by using a tissue or wearing a face mask.

He said wearing a face mask is highly recommended, particularly for people at high risk of infection or those showing symptoms.

This is especially important in enclosed or crowded spaces where the risk of transmission is higher.

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Exclusive: HMPV 'not a new virus'; China's respiratory infection within usual range, says WHOs

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Exclusive: HMPV 'not a new virus'; China's respiratory infection within usual range, says WHOal rang, says WHO

 

    

Exclusive: HMPV 'not a new virus'; China's respiratory infection within usual range, says WHO

 

The headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. File Photo:Xinhu

As respiratory diseases enter a peak period in winter, multiple foreign media outlets have been exaggerating reports of a surge in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in China, claiming that it has overwhelmed local hospitals. Commenting on the matter, the World Health Organization (WHO) told the Global Times exclusively on Wednesday that Hmpv is not a new virus, but a common one which usually causes symptoms similar to the common cold. 

China's reported levels of respiratory infections are within the usual range for the winter season. Authorities report that hospital utilization is currently lower than this time last year, and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered, the WHO said. 

In recent days, foreign media including CNN, BBC, and the Washington Post have reported a spike in HMPV cases in China, alleging that it has overwhelmed hospitals, with some attempting to draw parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to media inquiry on the seasonal spike, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that the Chinese government has and will continue to release information about infectious diseases in a timely and transparent way in accordance with law.

The WHO also responded to the concerns, noting that based on what has been reported by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) and meetings between WHO and Chinese authorities, there has been a rise in the number of common respiratory infections in the country, as expected during winter.

The organization assured that China has a sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections. According to China CDC data, the pathogens causing these infections are known ones, and they include the seasonal influenza virus, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), HMPV, and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).

Among the pathogens reported by China CDC, seasonal influenza is by far the most common and is increasing. WHO's Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) has registered rising trends in influenza in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is currently winter, across parts of Asia, Europe, Africa and a few countries in the Caribbean.

Regarding HMPV, the WHO said the virus is first discovered in 2001 - it is a common virus that circulates in winter and spring, usually causing respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold. In some cases, it can lead to more severe diseases like bronchitis or pneumonia. The youngest and the oldest are most at risk, along with those who are immunocompromised, that is, those who have weakened immune systems.

The positivity rate for influenza viruses is continuously rising, with more than 99 percent being influenza A, predominantly the A(H1N1) pdm09 subtype, according to the latest data from the China CDC. Traditional Chinese medicine methods are among the approaches recommended for flu prevention, said an expert at a press conference held by the National Health Commission on Sunday.

The level of influenza activity varies across regions, with a more noticeable rise in northern provinces, although it remains lower than the same period last year, showed the latest data released by China CDC for the week from December 23 to 29, 2024.

"Over the past two years, awareness of HMPV infections in China has grown despite the virus being first identified more than 20 years ago, and has been circulating among people for as long as 60 years. The increase of awareness is primarily due to the improvement in our country's respiratory pathogen detection capabilities and the increased public attention toward respiratory infectious diseases," Li Tongzeng, the chief physician of the infection department at Beijing You'an Hospital, told the Global Times.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, nucleic acid testing technology for respiratory pathogens has been significantly promoted in China, and many medical institutions can now conduct such tests, leading to an increase in detection rates for HMPV as well as other pathogens, Li said.

The expert added that another significant advancement in China regarding respiratory infections post-pandemic has been the establishment of a large number of sentinel hospitals to monitor respiratory pathogens. 

"As a result, we are now able to see regular updates from the China CDC on the types of respiratory pathogens circulating. Additionally, drug stockpiles have significantly improved over the past two years," Li noted.

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