Bali monitors flights from China as Beijing urged to be transparent on cases

Nepal plans to test HMPV in patients with respiratory illnesses to assess its spread this winter, The Kathmandu post reported.

Although the virus has been detected in the country in the past, authorities aim to confirm its presence by testing people with flu-like symptoms who test negative.

“Although human metapneumovirus infection is not new in our country and has been detected several times in the past, we decided to carry out tests on samples from patients suffering from flu-like symptoms and whose the test came back negative for influenza virus,” said Dr Yadu Chandra. Ghimire, director of the epidemiology and disease control division.

Dr. Ghimire advised against panic, saying: “This virus has been circulating in our communities for years. We generally do not test unless there is an increase in new cases. We decided to carry out testing because the increase in infections among our neighbors is making headlines.”

Singapore saw an increase in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections in late 2024, the Ministry of Health said, but added that it was consistent with trends from the end of the previous year due to increased social gatherings and vacation trips.

China, India and Malaysia have also reported an increase in HMPV cases and authorities in Bali have stepped up surveillance of Chinese and Malaysian nationals arriving in the city.

Singapore’s Ministry of Health has advised practicing good hygiene, following coughing and sneezing etiquette and washing hands to mitigate the spread.

Like most common respiratory illnesses, HMPV usually goes away on its own.

Treatment of symptoms usually takes the form of medications to control pain and fever, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol.

Patients with more severe wheezing and coughing may need a temporary inhaler, according to the American Lung Association.

The virus was first identified in 2001, but researchers believe it has been circulating in humans for at least six decades. Despite its longevity, it does not have the name influenza, Covid-19 or RSV, according to Dr. Leigh Howard, associate professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

One reason for its obscurity is that it is rarely mentioned by name except in cases where people are hospitalized with a confirmed infection, Dr. Howard said. Le New York Times.

“The clinical features are really difficult to distinguish from other viral diseases, and we don’t routinely test for HMPV like we do for Covid, flu or RSV,” Dr. Howard said.

“So most infections go unnoticed and are attributed to whatever respiratory problem is circulating. »

Following the increase in HMPV infections in China and Malaysia, authorities in Bali began monitoring foreign arrivals from these countries.

According to local health authorities, Chinese and Malaysian nationals arriving in Bali must complete a health pass three days before arriving on the island in order to keep track of passengers’ health problems such as body temperature, cold or cold symptoms. the flu.

Dutch researchers discovered the virus in 2001. In the Netherlands, they collected 28 samples taken from children suffering from unexplained respiratory illnesses.

No recognized diseases were detected in their blood, despite the fact that a number of them suffered from serious illnesses and required mechanical breathing.

Before being examined under an electron microscope, the samples were cultured in several types of cells from dogs, chickens and monkeys.

HMPV (human metapneumovirus) is spread by direct contact with infected people or by touching contaminated surfaces, experts say.

Unlike viruses like influenza, RSV and Covid-19, there is no vaccine for HMPV, says Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, director of infection prevention and control at Children’s Medical Center of Plano, in Texas. “We do not have the advantage of preparing or strengthening our immune systems to fight these viruses. But nevertheless, everything we learned for Covid can be applied to metapneumovirus.

She told CBS News: “If anyone is sick, try to avoid crowds so you don’t expose everyone, especially vulnerable people. If this person is sick and cannot avoid going to a place where other people are present, try using a mask, practicing coughing and sneezing etiquette, and washing your hands well. .

Hong Kong has reported a few cases of HMPV. Neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Taiwan are closely monitoring the situation. Cambodia’s Communicable Disease Control Department has issued warnings about HMPV, noting its similarity to Covid-19 and influenza.

Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control said the virus poses higher risks to children, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised.

In neighboring India, officials said there was no need to panic because HMPV is “like any other respiratory virus.”

“News has been circulating about a metapneumovirus outbreak in China. Let me be very clear about this. Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus that causes the common cold, and in very old and very young people it can cause flu-like symptoms,” said Dr Atul Goel, head of the Directorate General of Health Services ( DGHS).

A disease expert has urged China to share its infection data amid an outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) that has spread to four countries.

Dr Sanjaya Senanayake, an associate professor of medicine with an expert in infectious diseases at the Australian National University, said it was “vital” for China to share information “in a timely manner”.

“We will also need genomic data confirming that HMPV is the culprit and that there are no significant mutations of concern. This genomic data will also guide vaccine development,” he said. Online mail.

China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration has recently recognized an increase in respiratory infections, including HMPV.

In response, it launched a pilot program to track pneumonia of unknown origin, aiming to improve the identification and management of these cases.

This involves closer coordination between laboratories and health agencies and ensuring rapid reporting of new cases.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said Friday that the disease was spreading “on a smaller scale compared to the previous year.”

This mirrors seasonal trends seen in other countries, including the UK, which is seeing similar spikes in respiratory illnesses this winter.