YSU Rector Armen Muradyan's Facebook post:
"According to the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there is currently a sharp increase in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection. In addition, there is a tense epidemic situation in terms of other respiratory infections, particularly influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Covid-19 infections.
Alarmingly, the spread of HMPV infection has led to a significant increase in sudden deaths, especially among people aged 40 to 80. There has also been an increase in the number of hospitalizations for pneumonia in children under 14 years of age.
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was discovered in 2001 and belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). HMPV can cause both upper and lower respiratory tract infections in all age groups, but children are most vulnerable. , the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
It should be noted that the virus has the ability to spread quickly from person to person, it is transmitted through respiratory secretions through direct contact, for example, by shaking hands, or by touching contaminated objects. The incubation period of infection is 3-5 days. Common symptoms include coughing, fever, nasal discharge, difficulty breathing.
For prevention, it is recommended to:
• Maintaining respiratory hygiene: wearing masks by the patient and surrounding persons, observing cough and sneeze etiquette
• Maintain hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently for 20 seconds. Do not touch your face with unwashed hands
• Stay home if you have symptoms to prevent the virus from spreading
• Clean frequently touched surfaces regularly
• Ventilate indoor spaces frequently. There is no vaccine available against HMPV infection.
It should be noted that in 2023, cases of HMPV infection were recorded in the Netherlands, Great Britain, Finland, Australia, Canada, the USA and China.
