Dr. Sabine Kapasi
“I had a comprehensive discussion with The Indian Express, delving into the intricacies of human metapneumovirus, including its diverse range of symptoms, modes of transmission, and critical risk factors. Sharing insights on this topic was a valuable opportunity to raise awareness and foster a better understanding of this significant health concern.”
All about human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory illness causing symptoms like cough, fever, shortness of breath
As far as its origins are concerned, Dr Sabine Kapasi, Public Health Leader, United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination and Geneva said that HMPV was first discovered by Dutch virus hunters in 2001.
COVID-19 may no longer be a global threat, as announced by the World Health Organisation, but cases of the human metapneumovirus or HMPV, a respiratory disease, seem to be peaking in the United States presently. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there was a major uptick in the number of cases in the country, and at its peak in mid-March, nearly 11 percent of tested specimens were positive for HMPV, a number that’s about 36 per cent higher than the average pre-pandemic levels.
Most people who caught the virus probably didn’t know they had it and sick people are not usually tested for it outside of a hospital or ER, according to CNN. Unlike COVID-19 and the flu, currently, there are no vaccines or anti-viral drugs available to administer to patients and people. There is only one step that the doctors can take, which is to tend to the symptoms faced by the patients.
What is HMPV?
Dr Sabine Kapasi, Public Health Leader, United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination and Geneva told indianexpress.com, “Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that can cause respiratory tract infections in humans. It belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family, which also includes other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). According to The Lancet, “There were an estimated 14.2 million cases of HPMV globally in children younger than 5 years old.”
It can affect people of all age groups, however, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that the risk is higher for small children, older adults, and those with immunocompromised systems.