‘Don’t panic over respiratory virus surging in China,’ South Africans urged

South Africans have been urged not to panic over the new respiratory virus that’s gripped China after social media users expressed concern over it.

China has been dealing with a spike in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections since late last year, which has reportedly led to overcrowding in hospitals and new monitoring measures.

Hong Kong, Malaysia and India have, over the past month, also reported a spike in cases.

Health expert, Professor Tulio De Oliveira, has now moved to allay fears about the virus, saying it’s not new.

The panic over it comes five years after the deadly outbreak of the Coronovirus, which started in Wuhan, China. It ultimately affected the globe and claimed the lives of millions of people.

HMPV, the virus that currently has the world worried, has been around since 2001 and was initially identified in the Netherlands – with outbreaks mainly occurring in the colder seasons.

According to Dutch scholars, it has existed for at least 60 years, occurring around the world as a common respiratory pathogen.

Its symptoms are similar to the common cold and influenza, which include coughing, nasal congestion and fatigue.

Children, the elderly and those with underlying conditions are the most at risk of contracting the virus.

Despite this, however, Professor De Oliveira says there’s nothing to be nervous about.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says because it’s the winter season in China, cases of respiratory viruses are expected to surge.

The Head of the Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis at the NICD, Professor Cheryl Cohen, says they are monitoring the situation in China.

Those who vaccinated for COVID-19,are you gonna vaccinate this time around? pic.twitter.com/XNz4aIfdmq

— Qhawe (@Qhawe___L) January 6, 2025

Truly and honestly, the world can not afford another outbreak!!!
What are they always doing over there??
God abeg!!
Covid was too devastating! pic.twitter.com/1lmQndSJB2

— Kate Amaka Henshaw (@HenshawKate) January 6, 2025

🚨 Can this virus spread all over the world like Corona?
❗This is not a new virus. Last year also there was news of its spread in China. In the year 2023, this virus was also detected in countries like Netherlands, Britain, Finland, Australia, Canada and America.

— Huzaifa Ali (@imhuzaifaali) January 6, 2025

Which super virus are we on again?

H1N1, Ebola, monkey pox, the 45 variants of Covid, bird flu or are we onto something new now?

— Thrilla the Gorilla (@ThrillaRilla369) January 6, 2025

HMPV was discovered in 2001 in Netherland. And the virus had a massive outbreak in the United States last year.
It’s the anti China medias want you to believe it’s a new virus that found in China.
Google is a good thing bro.

— Evans Trump (@EvansTrump2024) January 6, 2025