No HMPV cases reported in Iran health minister

No HMPV cases reported in Iran: health minister

TEHRAN –According to Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi, there has been no report of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the country so far.

Regarding the surge in HMPV cases in China which has prompted concerns over the entry of the virus into the country, the health minister highlighted that “we are regularly checking cases in laboratories on a daily basis. No cases of the virus have been detected in Iran,” ISNA reported.

On Tuesday, Hossein Kermanpour, an official with the health ministry, said that HMPV diagnostic kits are used for the detection of the virus, and the results are monitored daily.

It is logical to be ready to address the virus if needed, but there has been no report of HMPV cases in the country. However, the health systems are fully prepared, the official noted.

HMPV is not a new virus, discovered in 2001, it belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). However, serological studies suggest that the virus has been present in humans for over 60 years and is globally distributed.

HMPV have cold-like symptoms including cough, runny nose, and mild fever. Rarely, the virus causes severe lower respiratory tract conditions, including bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma exacerbations.

“China is undergoing an increase in the number of infectious cases with severe respiratory symptoms, particularly affecting children and the elderly. However, it should be noted that there is nothing to worry about,” ILNA quoted Amitis Ramezani, the secretary of the association of infectious and tropical diseases experts, as saying on Tuesday.

“Several factors, including mycoplasma pneumonia, metapneumovirus, influenza, and new strains of coronavirus, as well as winter have contributed to the rise in cases of severe respiratory disease detected in China,” she highlighted.

No global health emergency on HMPV

The World Health Organization (WHO) has not flagged the outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in any country as a health emergency, so there is no need to worry, an official with the ministry of health, has said.

The official made the remarks on Sunday following the recent reports and social media posts suggesting that the virus is spreading rapidly across China. Some claim that hospitals and crematoriums are overwhelmed by the influx of patients.

Videos circulating online show crowded hospitals, with users reporting multiple viruses, including Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19, as the culprits behind the surge in respiratory illnesses.
Reports indicate that the spike in HMPV cases has led to a notable increase in sudden deaths, particularly affecting individuals aged 40 to 80.

HMPV can cause both upper and lower respiratory diseases in people of all ages, with young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems being most vulnerable.

“According to the International Health Regulations (IHR), if a disease is widespread in a region, it must be reported to the World Health Organization, then the organization will determine whether or not a particular event constitutes a public health emergency of international concern,” health ministry’s website quoted Qobad Moradi as saying.

Observing personal hygiene, wearing masks, and washing hands continuously can greatly contribute to the control and prevention of infectious diseases, particularly respiratory and seasonal diseases, he noted.

HMPV often causes symptoms similar to the common cold, including cough, fever, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, and rashes.

However, the risk of severe illness is higher for people who are younger than five or older than 65, with those cases taking longer to recover from. Unlike Covid-19, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for HMPV; treatment primarily involves managing symptoms.

Like other similar viruses, HMPV usually spreads from person to person through droplets from coughing and sneezing, through human contact such as hugging or kissing, and through touching surfaces and objects contaminated with the virus and then the mouth, nose or eyes.

Experts caution against the use of antiviral drugs to treat HMPV. In an interview with the state-backed National Business Daily, a respiratory expert in Shanghai warned against blindly using antiviral medications, as no vaccine exists for HMPV, and its symptoms often resemble those of a common cold.

In 2023, HMPV cases were reported in the Netherlands, Britain, Finland, Australia, Canada, the US, and China.

MT/MG

source: tehrantimes.com