The incidence of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been increasing in both China and the UK; however, medical professionals express concerns about the lack of clarity from Chinese authorities regarding the severity of the illness.
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British doctors are calling for greater transparency regarding HMPV rates, as hospitals are experiencing a concerning increase in cases.
Human metapneumovirus is a virus with symptoms similar to a cold, including a cough, fever and blocked or runny nose, and has been on the rise in parts of China. Rates of the virus have also been rising in the UK amidst a major winter flu crisis which has seen NHS wards overwhelmed.
Prominent virologist Dr. Andrew Catchpole expressed concerns regarding the insufficient information available from Chinese public health officials about the virus's effects. Although Beijing has acknowledged an ongoing issue with HMPV, precise details regarding case numbers and the virus's transmission remain vague.
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Dr. Catchpole, the Chief Scientific Officer at the testing company hVIVO, stated: "It's essential to gather more details about the particular strain that is currently spreading. This will help us determine whether it aligns with the usual circulating strains or if the virus responsible for the elevated infection rates in China exhibits any variations."
He mentioned, "The exact magnitude of the numbers remains uncertain, and it's possible that the problems are simply a result of overlapping peaks in flu and Covid cases." Additionally, Dr. Catchpole noted that the virus is known to "mutate and evolve over time, leading to the emergence of new strains," emphasizing that it is "not regarded as a virus with pandemic potential."
Pictures from China have showed hospitals apparently overwhelmed with patients, many of whom were being treated in corridors, amidst rising cases, particularly in northern provinces. Cases have been recorded rising in countries including India, the US, Malaysia and Kazakhstan, although the CDC has said it was monitoring the virus, but did not consider it a serious threat.
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In uncommon cases, HMPV may result in severe illness or even fatalities, especially in young children under two years old, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, like those undergoing chemotherapy. This situation arises as winter flu cases surge in UK hospitals, leading several hospital trusts to announce critical incidents.
Around 5,000 patients are currently in hospitals in England with flu, according to NHS data. Around 10 to 12% of respiratory illnesses in children are by HMPV, however.
Trusts across Northamptonshire, Cornwall, Liverpool, Hampshire, Birmingham, Plymouth, and the Wirral have all made declarations, with South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust announcing theirs on Wednesday. Professor Julian Redhead, the NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, cautioned that it is premature to determine if flu cases have reached their peak, especially since many schools just resumed this week.
"According to Prof Redhead, emergency care faces constant pressure throughout the year, but the winter months, compounded by the surge of flu and other viral infections, intensify this sense of strain significantly."
