Armen Muradyan: How to prevent human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection?

According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there is currently a sharp increase in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in China. Rector of the Yerevan State Medical University, Armen Muradyan, wrote about this on social media.

Muradyan added as follows: "In addition, it is a tense epidemic situation in terms of other respiratory infections, in particular, influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19 infections. It is alarming that the spread of HMPV infection has led to a significant increase in the number of sudden deaths, especially among people aged 40-80. The number of cases of children up to 14 years old hospitalized with pneumonia has also increased.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was discovered in 2001; it belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). HMPV can cause both upper and lower respiratory tract infections in all age groups, but children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable.

It should be noted that the virus has the ability to spread quickly from person to person, it is transmitted by respiratory secretions by an airborne mechanism through direct contact; for example, by shaking hands, or by touching contaminated objects. The incubation period of infection is 3-5 days. Common symptoms include coughing, fever, nasal discharge, difficulty breathing.

For prevention, it is recommended to:

. Maintain respiratory hygiene: wearing face masks by the patient and surrounding persons, maintain cough, sneeze etiquette.

. Maintain hand hygiene: washing hands frequently for 20 seconds. Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.

. If you have symptoms, stay home to prevent the spread of the virus.

. Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces.

. Ventilate closed spaces frequently.

A vaccine against HMPV infection is not yet available.

It should be noted that in 2023, cases of HMPV infection were recorded in the Netherlands, Great Britain, Finland, Australia, Canada, the USA, and China.”

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