6th January 2025
Following the current surge of a respiratory virus in China, the Federal Government on Sunday said it would activate surveillance measures for inbound passengers from China
The virus, which is attributed to the Human Metapneumovirus, HMPV, has seen increased cases across northern Chinese provinces this winter, especially among children.
China Neighbouring countries like Cambodia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong are closely monitoring the HMPV situation, having reported a few cases but no widespread outbreaks so far according to reports.
Chinese authorities authority said there has been a noticeable increase in HMPV cases, especially among children under 14 years old in northern parts of the country, while Social media posts, accompanied by videos of overcrowded hospitals, have sparked fears of another larger-scale health crisis like the COVID-19.
However, Chinese government has announced measures, including constant monitoring of cases, the adoption of masks, social distancing and disinfection of public spaces to forestall spread of the virus.
Both HMPV and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses, there are important differences. HMPV typically causes milder symptoms such as a cold or flu, while COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can lead to more severe health complications and long-term effects.
HMPV is also a seasonal virus, similar to other cold-causing pathogens like RSV, and infections usually peak during the winter months. HMPV, like COVID-19, spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes and it can also spread via contaminated surfaces.
The new virus outbreak is coming five years after the emergence of a novel coronavirus – COVID-19 – in Wuhan, China, which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation on March 11, 2020.
So far, COVID-19 has infected 777 million people globally and killed over seven million, according to WHO.
However, officials from the National Health Commission stated that while respiratory diseases are expected to rise during the winter months, the overall situation this year is less severe than last year.
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“Symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. Clinical symptoms of HMPV infection may progress to bronchitis or pneumonia and are similar to other viruses that cause upper and lower respiratory infections. The estimated incubation period is three to six days, and the median duration of illness can vary, depending upon severity but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses.
Meanwhile, health authorities in Nigeria are already implementing emergency measures to monitor and manage the spread of the HMPV.
The Director, Special Duties, Office of the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr John Oladejo, said the Federal Government would implement preventive measures by activating surveillance measures to curb the spread of the virus.
