The Director General of the National Pharmacovigilance Center, Professor Riadh Daghfous, clarified this Sunday that the “HMPV” virus, currently circulating in several countries, is an old respiratory virus, which appeared in Europe in 2001.
Contrary to the alarmist information disseminated on social networks, it does not present any particular danger. He also confirmed that no cases have been reported in Tunisia.
In a statement to TAP Agency, Professor Daghfous deplored the spread of erroneous information, accompanied by old photos and videos, thus creating unjustified panic. “The World Health Organization (WHO) has not issued any warnings regarding this virus. Furthermore, experts did not consider it necessary to develop a vaccine against it, given that it follows the behavior of other seasonal viruses, appearing especially in winter,” he clarified.
The “HMPV” virus, which mainly affects the respiratory system and particularly affects children, belongs to the family of viruses responsible for bronchiolitis, an infection of the smallest respiratory tracts of the lungs. It causes symptoms similar to pneumonia, such as cough, fever, nasal congestion, and wheezing. Although rare, in certain serious cases it can affect the lungs.
Professor Daghfous recommended treating this virus like any other seasonal virus: consult a doctor for appropriate treatment and apply the usual preventive measures to avoid infection.
It should be noted that in recent days, several media and social networks have relayed images and videos creating a wave of panic, following the spread of the “HMPV” virus in China and India.
