Portuguese health authorities clarified today that metapneumovirus (hMPV) outbreak in northern China, is common in winter and that cases in Portugal are “quite rare.”
“Cases have been quite rare, so far. It does not seem to be the virus predominantly associated with some respiratory infections that we are seeing,” stated INSA researcher Raquel Guiomar to the Lusa media agency.
According to experts, Portugal is not, at the moment, “in a situation that resembles what is being reported, namely by the Chinese media, where children are increasingly at risk of catching the virus.”
The head of the National Reference Laboratory for the Influenza Virus and Other Respiratory Viruses, of INSA, recalled that hMPV was detected in 2001 and circulates very similarly to the flu virus, and especially affects children.
“It is thought that all children, up to 5 years old, have contact with this virus, but like other respiratory viruses, both children and adults can be reinfected during the course of their life.”
Raquel Guiomar explained that the symptoms are very similar to those of the flu, and can sometimes also be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain or diarrhoea.
“The symptoms usually resolve on their own, but it can be more serious. The virus can also be associated with more severe respiratory infection in risk groups, namely in children or adults with chronic diseases, or with diseases that imply some decrease in immunity, in the immunocompromised, or even in older people, over the age of 65.”
The head of the laboratory, which since 1953 has been part of the flu surveillance networks of the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, also recalled that there is no vaccine to prevent the transmission of hMPV, indicating that Covid-19 pandemic measures should be implemented.
“Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay away from crowds of people if you are suffering and have respiratory symptoms, because transmission is identical to flu, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus [Covid-19).
hMPV spreads “through respiratory aerosols [saliva particles] or respiratory secretions.”
According to the latest INSA Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance report, only one case has been detected in the country since October.
In a written response sent to Lusa, the DGS said that “to date, there is no indication of expression of the hMPV virus in Portugal, only the detection of a sample in the laboratory surveillance network of respiratory viruses.”
“The hMPV virus is common, circulating in winter seasons in both hemispheres, usually causing colds without special severity. Its current expression arises in the context of other viruses that did not circulate among the population during the pandemic.”
The DGS recalls that it remains “attentive to the usual surveillance of respiratory viruses,” indicating respiratory etiquette, hand hygiene, and the proper use of a mask for those with respiratory symptoms, as well as the use of the SNS24 Line as an initial point of contact in case of respiratory symptoms, as effective prevention measures.
China’s Centre for Disease Control has warned the public about the importance of adopting health and hygiene measures after authorities recorded an increase in cases of hMPV in northern China, especially among children. The Chinese health authority also countered what it called rumours published on the Internet about crowded hospitals and dismissed fears of a new pandemic.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
