Barely two years since Covid-19 ended with a record global pandemic and seven million known deaths, China is facing a new virus.
HMPV or human metapneumovirus is raging in northern China. This situation is scary, because this is how Covid started.
Currently, the photos and videos circulating on the web are frightening with alarming comments.
Indeed, we see in his videos and photos medical staff and civilians wearing masks in Chinese hospitals. Internet users did not fail to make a comparison with the Covid situation.
According to information from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus has been around for several years. This virus manifests itself with cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath.
HMVP can cause upper and lower respiratory illnesses, such as bronchitis or pneumonia according to the CDC. It attacks the immune system so it can be more serious in children and the elderly since their systems are weaker.
The behavior of the virus resembles that of respiratory diseases. Its incubation period lasts 3 to 6 days. According to the CDC, you are more likely to get HMPV in late winter and spring in temperate climates.
Its mode of transmission resembles that of Covid. It passes from an infected person to others through secretions from coughs and sneezes. Also, you can catch it through touching or touching infected areas.
However, there would be no cause for concern, because according to Professor Tulio de Oliveira, founding director of the Center for Epidemic Response and Innovation, HMPV remains just one of four viruses currently causing a winter outbreak in China, the others being respiratory syncytial virus, Covid and influenza.
We understand the concern of Internet users who saw it as a repetition of the story of Covid 19 which cost the lives of millions of people and caused an economic crisis which has persisted to this day.
