Infection hazard

Greece’s authorities announced on Wednesday the first confirmed case of the respiratory virus HMPV virus that is surging in China on a patient in Thessaloniki.A 71-year-old man with underlying health issues is being treated at the ICU of the Papanikolaou Hospital in Thessaloniki. According to hospital sources, the patient’s daughter had traveled to China during the Christmas holidays and upon her return, she reportedly had flu symptoms.According to the same sources, the 71-year-old’s wife also fell ill, but her symptoms were mild, as was their daughter. However, the man, due to his underlying health problems, developed severe symptoms and required hospitalization.

Doctors in Greece say HMPV virus is nothing new

Greek doctors are reassuring the public that they should not panic. “HMPV is not new at all. We have known about it for years. It is one of the viruses that we look for with the special examination that we have been doing for years when admitting patients to hospitals,” Stelios Loukidis, Professor of Pulmonology told iefimerida.According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), HMPV is a common virus and belongs to the Pneumonoviridae family along with the respiratory syncytial virus RSV. It causes respiratory infection and is a seasonal illness that usually occurs in the winter.

Symptoms of HMPV are similar to those of a cold

Most patients with HMPV have mild upper respiratory symptoms similar to those of a cold, including cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever.Symptoms usually last about 2-5 days and resolve on their own. In more severe cases, patients may experience wheezing, difficulty breathing, and asthma attacks, and secondary lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchiolitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia, may develop, requiring additional medical care.Those most at risk for complications from the disease include young children under five years of age, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly.The HMVP virus is transmitted from one infected person to another through secretions from coughing and sneezing and touching contaminated surfaces. Therefore, the best way to protect yourself is to avoid contact with infected people, wash your hands frequently and wear a mask if you suspect you have it.

Which countries have seen a rise in HMPV cases?

In northern China, HMPV cases have been rising among children 14 years and younger, according to China’s Institute for Infectious Diseases.The spike coincides with the cold winter months, during which respiratory infections are more prevalent.In response to the rise in cases, China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration said it is piloting a monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin.Countries like India and the United Kingdom have also reported seasonal increases in HMPV since late 2024.India has reported seven confirmed cases of HMPV across several states, including Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
In the UK, between December 23 and 29 last year, some 4.5 percent of lab-tested samples were positive for HMPV, a slight increase from the previous week. In comparison, 29.5 percent were positive for influenza, and 2.5 percent for COVID-19.Precise global data on the virus is scarce as surveillance and reporting of the virus is not as robust or routine as the flu or COVID-19.