Amid reports of a human metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China, South African health experts are urging calm.
Is HMPV spreading in South Africa? – Here’s what a health expert said
Professor Tulio de Oliveira, a bioinformatics specialist at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), addressed concerns during an interview with eNCA on Monday.
“We have no reason to be concerned at the moment in South Africa… This is one of four viruses (HMPV, RSV, Influenza, and COVID) that’s part of the winter surge epidemic in China. China now is in the winter; they are in the opposite hemisphere than South Africa,” he said.
The professor stressed that, at this juncture, the current HMPV outbreak poses no immediate threat to South Africa.
A complete breakdown of HMPV: Here’s what you must know
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was first identified in 2001 by Dutch researchers, though retrospective studies suggest it has been circulating in humans for at least 50 years.
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It belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, closely related to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
HMPV is a common respiratory pathogen worldwide, particularly affecting infants, young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, HMPV typically causes upper respiratory tract infections with symptoms resembling the common cold or flu, including:
- Cough
- Fever
- Nasal congestion
- Shortness of breath
In severe cases, especially among vulnerable populations, it can lead to lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
While HMPV generally results in mild illness, it can cause severe disease in high-risk groups.
According to the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, HMPV infection can lead to death in susceptible individuals with underlying medical conditions.
What’s happening in China?
China is currently experiencing a surge in HMPV cases, coinciding with its winter season.
Hospitals, particularly children’s hospitals in provinces like Hunan, are reportedly overwhelmed with patients exhibiting respiratory symptoms.
Unverified social media footage depicts crowded medical facilities and patients in dire conditions, visuals that trigger PTSD from the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak.
Chinese authorities have not officially confirmed HMPV as the sole cause, suggesting that other respiratory viruses, including influenza, may also be contributing to the increase in hospitalisations.
Despite the uptick in cases, Chinese health officials assert that the situation aligns with typical seasonal patterns and that the healthcare system is managing the influx of patients.
Neighbouring countries are monitoring the situation but have not reported significant outbreaks.
