China Shocked by Outbreak of Virus Similar to Covid-19: Influenza A and HMPV

January 5, 2025 | 08:42 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Recently, China has been shocked by a spike in cases of viral infections similar to Covid-19, namely influenza A and Human Metapneumovirus abbreviated as HMPV.

The increase in the number of infections has raised concerns about the emergence of a new health crisis, considering that the situation occurred after the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the past few years. Several reports from hospitals filled with patients and videos circulating on social media show a spike in this respiratory disease.

But will this outbreak develop into a pandemic like Covid-19? Let's explore more about these two viruses.

What is HMPV?

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that attacks the respiratory tract, causing upper and lower respiratory tract infections.

According to NDTV, this virus was first identified in 2001 and has since become a common cause of seasonal infections in humans.

HMPV can affect all ages, but children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems are the most vulnerable groups.

Symptoms of HMPV infection are generally similar to the common flu, namely cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. In some more severe cases, this infection can develop into serious complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

HMPV spreads through droplets, namely when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and through direct physical contact with sufferers or contaminated objects. Although there is no specific treatment or vaccine for HMPV, it can be treated by focusing on relieving symptoms and preventing further complications.

What is Influenza A?

Influenza A is a type of flu virus that can cause large and widespread outbreaks. This virus has the ability to spread quickly, causing quite severe symptoms such as coughing, fever, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue.

Although most cases of influenza A can heal on their own, this infection still has the potential to cause serious complications, including pneumonia and even death, especially in vulnerable groups such as the elderly or those with previous health problems.

Reported from Healthline, influenza A has a special characteristic, namely its ability to mutate rapidly. Therefore, this virus tends to produce many variants that can infect humans, even causing pandemics, as happened in the bird flu pandemic several decades ago.

While there are flu vaccines that can prevent most infections, new variants that emerge each flu season should require adjustments to the vaccine. Therefore, annual vaccination remains the best way to prevent infection.

Will This Be a Pandemic?

While the surge in HMPV and influenza A cases has raised concerns, especially in China, health experts say there is no clear indication that the outbreaks will develop into a global pandemic.

While influenza A and HMPV can spread rapidly and have a significant impact on vulnerable populations, they are still considered controlled seasonal outbreaks. At present, despite the increase in HMPV cases, the outbreak is still relatively local and does not pose a serious threat to the world as a whole.

Cited from The Economic Times, neither authorities in China nor the World Health Organization (WHO) have issued an emergency warning regarding the outbreak. There is no sign that the outbreak will spread globally like Covid-19.

However, it is important for the public to remain vigilant, especially in maintaining good hygiene and following proper precautions to avoid contracting the virus. Simple precautions such as washing hands, wearing masks, and maintaining distance remain the best ways to protect yourself from contracting these respiratory viruses.

Editor's Choice: Health Ministry: No Report of Flu A and HMPV Cases in Indonesia Yet

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