Margaret Harris, a WHO official, stated that the increase in common respiratory infections is “common” in the winter and spring, despite worries about the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus.
She went on to say that the Chinese Centre for ailment Control and Prevention states that the ailment is caused by “known ones.”
“It is true that the nation has seen an increase in some prevalent respiratory illnesses. And in the winter, this is completely to be anticipated. “China has a sentinel surveillance system for severe respiratory infections and influenza-like illness,” she said.
According to Harris, the pathogens, including those of COVID-19, are recognised and manageable. “The microorganisms causing these diseases are known ones, based on data from the Chinese CDC.
These include the respiratory syncytial virus, commonly referred to as RSV, the seasonal influenza virus, the human metanumavirus, or HMPV, and our old acquaintance SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19,” she stated.
The WHO representative added that testing for seasonal influenza is a frequent occurrence.
“Seasonal influenza is currently the most prevalent infection that appears in all of the testing, according to the Chinese CDC. And it’s getting higher. When individuals with flu-like symptoms presented to outpatient and emergency department sentinel sites at the end of December, the test positive rate for influenza was more than 30%, she said. She went on to say that the respiratory disease cases China has registered fall within the normal range.
We anticipate seeing it throughout the winter. According to authorities, there have been no emergency notifications and hospital usage is actually lower now than it was at this time last year. There is nothing new about the human metapneumovirus. There’s been a lot of curiosity because of its odd name. However, the virus is not new. In 2001, it was initially discovered. It has long existed in the human population. This virus is widespread and spreads in the winter and spring. According to her, it typically results in respiratory symptoms that resemble the common cold.
According to Harris, there are easy ways to prevent contracting the illness. They are identical to those used during COVID-19.
“So our advice to those who are in the winter season is to try to avoid getting ill in the first place, try to avoid getting infected and simple measures as we know we’ve all been very well trained by coronavirus, by by Covid-19, are simple measures can prevent spread,” she stated.
