With the Chinese government announcing the outbreak of the Norovirus earlier this month, this is something you might want to be mindful of if you’re visiting China anytime soon.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China recently revealed that cases of ANOTHER virus with similar symptoms to COVID-19 are on the rise in the country – the HMPV, also known as the Human Metapneumovirus.
Unlike the COVID-19 virus, there is currently no vaccine for the HMPV.
According to a report by Sin Chew, the virus has been spreading since the start of winter, and children below 14 years old are at high risk of the HMPV. According to the respiratory samples collected by hospitals across the country, the infection rate has shown an upward trend, especially in northern provinces in China.
Medical experts in the country also warned that despite being one of the biggest viruses, it is STILL mostly unknown to the people. With the absence of an effective cure and vaccine, doctors can only treat patients according to symptoms.
The HMPV belongs to the paramyxovirus, which medical experts pointed out most people will be infected with the virus and show no symptoms. However, it has the potential to damage the respiratory tract.
According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), the HMPV shares a lot of similarities with the COVID-19 virus.
You can be easily infected by mere handshakes, close contact, secretions from coughing and sneezing, as well as touching surfaces that are contaminated with the virus. HMPV, however, is not something new.
It was discovered as early as 2001, and while everyone is at risk of infections, children are mostly affected by the virus.
Regardless of where you are, it might be wise to mask up temporarily if you’re coughing or sneezing. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
