In this RIA Novosti article, we talk about what metapneumovirus is, who is most susceptible to the disease, and whether there is a real danger of an epidemic.
On January 5, 2025, the Chinese National Disease Control and Prevention Administration reported an outbreak of metapneumovirus, raising concerns that the virus from China could also infect Russians.
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV or HMPV) was first isolated more than 20 years ago: this happened in the Netherlands in 2001. However, later studies showed that the virus has been circulating in our tunisia mobile database population since at least the mid-1950s and is widespread throughout almost the entire territory of the Earth. In our country, it manifests itself all year round, with a periodic increase in activity in the autumn-winter season. Also, the frequency of infection with the virus often increases in late spring.
The symptoms of metapneumovirus are similar to those of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, so the presence of metapneumovirus can only be diagnosed using an express test at a district clinic - this test is usually done using a swab from the nose and oropharynx.
How is metapneumovirus transmitted?
According to doctors, the main route of infection is airborne, but it is possible to catch the virus when using household items (dishes, towels) shared with a sick person. The greatest risk of infection occurs when in a closed room with a large crowd of people.
Who is most at risk from metapneumovirus?
Metapneumovirus mainly infects children under 10 years of age.
However, the following people are also at risk:
elderly,
with reduced immunity,
with a weakened state of health.
As a rule, the disease that has been suffered provides quite stable immunity, and subsequent infections are either asymptomatic or with mild manifestations of ARVI. Exceptions occur if a new strain of the virus appears in the population, to which the immune system is not yet ready to meet.
As a rule, metapneumovirus causes symptoms typical of all acute respiratory viral infections: runny nose, cough, fever, shortness of breath, headaches. Young patients may also experience gastrointestinal disorders: vomiting or diarrhea. In some cases, complications arise in the form of nasopharyngitis or laryngitis, sometimes the virus causes diseases of the lower respiratory tract (trachea, bronchi and alveoli).
How is metapneumovirus treated?
If a person has previously encountered metapneumovirus, the disease most often proceeds in a mild form, with a slight increase in temperature, runny nose and cough, and ends within 7-10 days.
There is no specific treatment for metapneumovirus, so standard antiviral therapy and/or symptomatic treatment aimed at alleviating the patient's condition are usually used. Drinking plenty of warm fluids to flush out the viral metabolic products from the body is also recommended.