A pneumonia virus that has the same symptoms as the flu but for which there is no cure or vaccine has spread to parts of China.
The spread of the HMPV pneumonia virus has raised concerns in China, prompting authorities to take action as cases are on the rise, particularly among children under 14 years old.
The spread of the virus occurs at the same time as that of the coronavirus (COVID-19), five years ago.
Al Arabiya reports that the Chinese government has stated that “this virus is very contagious and there is no vaccine against it”, explaining that “its only treatment is medical”.
Symptoms of the virus are “cough, fever, wheezing and nasal congestion”, and can progress to “bronchitis or pneumonia”.
All age groups are susceptible to the virus, but it is most dangerous for “children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems,” and its effects can be fatal.
The virus was discovered in 2001 by a group of Dutch researchers after studying a group of children suffering from respiratory infections.
