Ukraine reports 13 confirmed cases of new Chinese virus – Center for Public Health
Photo: kompas.com
Dr. Olha Holubovska, a distinguished doctor from Ukraine, announced that there are currently 13 human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the country. According to the Center for Public Health, this virus is not new to Ukraine and is known to circulate during each epidemic season.
She wrote about this on Facebook.
According to the doctor, metapneumovirus can cause diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract in people of any age, especially among:
- young children,
- older adults,
- people with a weakened immune system.
According to the Center for Public Health, 13 officially confirmed cases have been registered in Ukraine since the beginning of the season, and "of course, there are actually more," the doctor emphasized.
As Holubovska noted, infection occurs by droplet transmission. The disease is more often mild (runny nose, cough) but can be severe with the development of fulminant (rapidly progressive) respiratory failure. The latter variant was previously observed in patients with weakened immunity after lung transplantation.
Photo: Facebook / Ukrainian doctor Olha Holubovska
The approximate incubation period is 3 to 6 days, and the average duration of the disease, which can vary depending on the severity, is 7-10 days on average.
The doctor noted that HMPV is most active in temperate climates during late winter and spring.
She urged not to panic and emphasized:
"In the event of a respiratory disease, especially in risk groups, it is advisable to confirm it. Among all the ARVIs, the most dangerous were influenza and COVID-19, now the metapneumovirus should be added to the testing, especially in hospitalized patients."
As Holubovska noted, infection prevention consists in avoiding/reducing the risks of airborne transmission:
- limiting contact with patients with respiratory diseases, especially risk groups,
- washing hands,
- ventilating rooms,
- wet cleaning.
In addition, she advised monitoring one's health, diagnosing pathology in a timely manner, and taking vitamins, especially D (as prescribed by a doctor).
Holubovska urged doctors not to delay hospitalization if the patient progresses daily.
The Public Health Center notes that metapneumovirus is not new in Ukraine; it is present in every epidemic season.
"In connection with disseminating information about metapneumovirus, we emphasize that the situation is routine and fully controlled. Metapneumovirus is a traditional virus that circulates in Ukraine during each epidemic season. The Public Health Center provides information about this and other relevant viruses within the epidemic season every week," the message says.
As noted in the Public Health Center, the symptoms of metapneumovirus are similar to a cold or mild case of flu:
- runny nose,
- cough,
- temperature.
Compared to a disease such as flu, metapneumovirus usually proceeds much more quickly and rarely causes complications.
The Public Health Center advises following the rules of personal hygiene as preventive measures, and, as the Public Health Center emphasized, information hygiene is no less important. The Central Health Center urged citizens to trust only official information.
For reference:
As reported, an outbreak of a new virus, HMPV, was recently recorded in China. According to some scientists, it may be more dangerous than COVID-19. This virus was also discovered in Kazakhstan.
This virus is similar to COVID-19 in many ways. Some similarities are that both affect the respiratory tract and lead to cough, fever, congestion, sore throat, and shortness of breath. They also spread through the respiratory tract.
In August 2024, the Ministry of Health issued updated recommendations for vaccination of the population against COVID-19, which comply with the latest recommendations of the World Health Organization.
