Metapneumovirus (HMPV) was recorded in Armenia not only in 2024, but also in 2023. Ruben Grigoryan, a doctor-epidemiologist of the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases of the Ministry of Health of Armenia, told "Pastinfo" about this, noting that 10 cases were registered in 2023, and 50 cases in the period from January to April 2024. According to him, since the season of respiratory infections, that is, since October 1, no case has been recorded.
According to the epidemiologist, preventive measures against the type of metapneumovirus infection, as such, are the same as in the case of other viruses. They are washing hands with soap after visiting public places, before eating, avoiding close contact with people who have symptoms of acute respiratory infections. Regularly ventilate, disinfect the location, room, office, closed areas where there are crowds of people, do not touch your face, follow the hygienic rules of coughing and sneezing, wear a mask and change it every 4 hours.
As for the type of virus, which, according to international news, has become widespread in the northern regions of China, according to our interlocutor, it is not new, it was first recorded in 2001.
"Speaking in the vernacular, we are used to saying that whoever has a runny nose or cough has the flu, but these are flu-like diseases, and more specifically, other acute respiratory infections," said the epidemiologist.
As of now, worldwide attention is being paid to Influenza A (influenza A) and Coronavirus, which have already shown the possibility of becoming a pandemic. According to him, in the case of any virus, serious developments can occur in case of non-treatment, or if the lesion is in an individual belonging to the risk group.
"In the case of given Metapneumovirus infection, children under the age of 14 are considered the most risky group, children under the age of 5 suffer the most from them. People over 65 years of age, people with chronic diseases or immunodeficiency are also in the risk group," said R. Grigoryan, adding: "Any respiratory virus, if it affects that group of people, we will have complicated cases."
The epidemiologist informed that in the case of Metapneumovirus infection, such a degree of developmental complication leading to death was not recorded, as happened in the case of H1N1. "It is not a virus of that category, in general it is not represented in the world literature as an infectious disease," said the doctor.
It should be noted that according to international press publications, an outbreak of Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection was recorded in China.
According to the China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is a sharp increase in 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.
According to international news, 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 the age of 14.
Source: Factinfo