8 hours agoA rise in U.S., west requires response to the outbreak of the virus in China
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)Western experts have publicly called on China to be more transparent about the outbreak of a new virus that has filled its hospitals, as data shows it is growing in the US as well. Beijing seems to have downplayed images of the waiting rooms and crowded departments posted [...]
Beijing appears to have downplayed images of waiting rooms and crowded departments posted in social media, saying that respiratory infections are less severe and smaller on scale compared to last year.
This has led some to fear that there are similarities to the current situation and the explosion of Covid in 2019, which was initially reduced by China.
China's outbreak is thought to be feeding on the relatively unknown human metaphneumovrus virus (HPMV), which usually causes symptoms similar to the cold, such as a blocked nose, headaches, vibrations and fatigue.
Dr Sanyaa Senanayak, an expert on infectious diseases, associate medical professor at Australian National University, said it was <x0-cymetic that China share its data on this explosion at the right time”, including “data on who is infecting”.
He added: “also, we will need geonomic data that confirms HMPV is the guilty and that there is no significant disturbing mutation. Such geonomic data will also guide the development of the vaccine. )
Their warning comes after the US experiences its rise in HMPV cases, with positive rates of tests doubling from the beginning until the end of December.
According to the latest CDC data, slightly less than 300 positive test results reported during the last week of December, the latest available figures.
The US CDC said it is establishing cases in China, but believes that they are not directly a cause for concern in the United States.
Dr. Andrew Cattpole, leading scientific official in biotechnical infectious disease h VIVO, said that while hMPV is usually reported in the coldest months, “appears to be higher in China than what we would expect in a normal year. )
He added: ) HMPV is a common part of the winter cold that causes viruses in most seasonal countries.
“It is not common to be a major concern for the high number of hospital admissions, but it is unclear how high the numbers are or whether problems arise simply because of the high flu levels and COVID.”
HMPV first appeared in 2001 and usually causes symptoms of a common cold.
But more serious symptoms, such as bronkitis, bronquiolite, and pneumonia, can be shown with sufferers experiencing panting, heavy cough, or panting.
Children, elderly people and patients with compromised immunity are at the highest risk of serious complications.
Because the virus is usually mild, the exact rate of its death is unknown. But experts estimate between 10 and 30 percent of hospital patients with HMPV die in the United States.
Dr Senanayak warned that China's rise in HMPV cases is similar to a bad flu season in the US and was unlikely to escalate into a global problem. /euronews
