Metapneumovirus HMPV, which spreads in northern China and leads to pneumonia in children under 14 years of age and people with weak immune systems, has also been recorded in Kazakhstan. Since the beginning of the epidemic season, 30 cases have been identified. A message about this was published by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The ministry notes that HMPV belongs to acute respiratory viral infections and is one of the “classical” viruses that have existed for decades in many countries around the world.
“Strains of this virus were also found in Kazakhstan, along with other types of infections that actively circulate in space during the seasonal rise in the incidence of ARVI and influenza,” the department wrote.
According to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, out of 1,866 positive samples for non-influenza viruses since the beginning of the epidemic season, the following samples were identified:.
That is, of all cases, according to the Kazakh Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control, metapneumovirus makes up the smallest percentage.
HMPV is transmitted primarily by airborne droplets, sometimes through household contact. The main symptoms of the disease are cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, fever and headache.
There is no specific treatment; patients infected with metapneumovirus are treated symptomatically.
The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan emphasizes that there is now a seasonal surge in infectious diseases, so it is necessary to avoid crowded places and adhere to other preventive measures:.
Let us recall that on January 5, local media reported an outbreak of a new virus such as COVID-19 in the northern provinces of China.. According to journalists, hospitals and crematoria in the country are overcrowded, and local authorities have introduced a monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin and advise citizens not to take antiviral drugs without a doctor’s prescription.. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for HMPV.
Previously, The Conversation wrote that the H5N1 avian flu could turn into a pandemic in 2025.