British Virus Experts Urge China to Release Vital Information on hMPV Outbreak; Alarm Raised
Leading British virus experts have called on Chinese authorities to disclose vital information regarding a concerning outbreak of the respiratory infection hMPV, which is reportedly overwhelming hospitals in the country.
UK authorities “need more information on the specific strain circulating” in order to accurately assess the threat to the British public, warned virus expert Dr. Andrew Catchpole.
This comes as cases of infection—manifesting cold-like symptoms—have been rising across the UK, with graphs showing a doubling of cases over the past month. Currently, one in 20 respiratory infections may be caused by the virus, known as human metapneumovirus (hMPV), according to the latest data in the UK.
“hMPV is typically found in the winter months, but it seems that the rate of serious infections may be higher in China than what we would expect in a normal year,” Dr. Catchpole said. “We need more information on the specific strain circulating to start understanding if this is the usual circulating strain or if the virus causing a high rate of infection in China has some differences.”
He added, “It is unclear how high the numbers are or if the problems are simply arising due to the coincidence with high levels of flu and COVID.”
Dr. Catchpole noted that while hMPV “evolves over time,” it is “not a virus that is considered to have pandemic potential.”
Speaking to MailOnline, several experts urged Britons not to panic, as the vast majority of infections cause “mild, cold-like symptoms.” However, for those with compromised immune systems—young children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions—the infection could lead to more severe illness.
“In young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immunity, hMPV can lead to severe cases and can spread to the lower respiratory tract, potentially causing pneumonia,” warned Jaya Dantas, a professor of global health at Curtin University in Australia. “We need to take a cautious and measured approach, as we know much more now since the COVID pandemic.”
Beijing has minimized images of overcrowded waiting rooms and wards posted on social media, claiming that respiratory infections are “less severe” and “smaller in scale” compared to last year. This has led some to fear a similarity to the current situation and the COVID outbreak in 2019, which was initially downplayed by China.
While British experts have noted that scenes in Chinese hospitals appear somewhat different from healthcare settings in the UK at this time of year, scientists have urged the public to take precautions to limit the spread of hMPV, as well as other respiratory viruses known to circulate.
“We need to get tested, stay home and away from others, wear a mask in public, and protect our most vulnerable,” said Prof. Dantas.
Meanwhile, Professor John Tregoning, a vaccine immunology expert at Imperial College London, added: “Protecting yourself by being in well-ventilated spaces, covering your mouth when coughing, and washing hands will all help.”
Calls for greater transparency from China follow a series of similar pleas from international experts.
Dr. Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious diseases expert and associate professor of medicine at the Australian National University, said it was “crucial that China shares its data on this outbreak in a timely manner,” including “data on who is being infected.”
He added, “We will also need genomic data confirming that hMPV is the culprit and that there are no significant concerning mutations. Such genomic data will also guide vaccine development.”
Meanwhile, the United States has recognized the rise in hMPV cases, with positive test percentages doubling from the beginning to the end of December.
CREATED by:
“KORÇA BOOM”
