HCMC – The HCMC Department of Health has reassured the public that human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus currently causing a surge in cases in China, is not a new or unfamiliar pathogen.
HMPV has long been identified as one of the pathogens responsible for respiratory infections in children in HCMC, accounting for 12.5-15% of respiratory cases annually, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
First discovered in 2001, the virus is closely related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and can cause severe illness, particularly in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
The department’s surveillance system recorded 16,000-18,000 respiratory cases per month in the first eight months of 2024, with a slight increase in the last three months.
While respiratory illnesses generally rise during colder months, officials confirmed that there have been no unusual fluctuations in the number or severity of cases.
A joint study conducted by the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and the HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases found HMPV to be less prevalent (12.5% in children) compared to other respiratory pathogens like influenza A, rhinovirus, and RSV.
The health department has advised the public to remain vigilant while emphasizing that there is no cause for alarm. No outbreaks or unusual health incidents linked to HMPV have been reported, and the situation is being closely monitored.
