Ministry of Health informs about the virus spreading in China

On the afternoon of January 5, the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) informed about cases of pneumonia caused by the virus in humans in China.

Accordingly, since January 2, a number of foreign news sites have reported on the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) spreading rapidly in China with symptoms similar to the flu, Covid-19, and at the same time, concerns about another health crisis after Covid-19.

Immediately after receiving the above information, the Department of Preventive Medicine contacted the World Health Organization (in Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region) and the Focal Point for the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) of China.

Up to now, WHO has not had any official information about this disease situation; at the same time, it has not been able to verify the reliability and authenticity of the above information.

According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the collected specimens recorded the main agents as influenza virus, HMPV and rhinovirus.

China is in the winter season, respiratory diseases tend to increase, including the main agents are seasonal influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus in children (RSV) and HMPV.

Up to now, the Department of Preventive Medicine will continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic situation; closely coordinate with WHO, the focal point for implementing IHR in China to proactively share accurate information, not to cause panic and anxiety, but at the same time not to be subjective or negligent in the face of disease developments, especially in the winter-spring period with favorable weather conditions for respiratory pathogens to spread./.