For those who thought COVID was nature’s last attempt to end Humanity, first, why would you think like that? And second, you’ve got news! For the past month, the healthcare system in China has been under another severe onslaught.
A new virus called Human Metapneumovirus or HMPV has sent scores of people to the hospital. Well, not exactly new; this virus has been around for a while. It belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and has been found in birds (avian metapneumovirus or AMPV and humans (human metapneumoviruses HMPV).
Both AMPV and HMPV are closely related and have a similar genomic organisation, causing respiratory issues in birds and humans. Discovered in 2001, HMPV has been circulating for half a century amongst us.
The symptoms of HMPV resemble a common cold, but babies and the elderly can get really sick. Keep your babies safe from HMPV. Look out for HMPV symptoms in babies.