ISLAMABAD: National Institute of Health (NIH) on Saturday confirmed that human metapneumovirus (HMPV) that spread in China has already been present in Pakistan for 2 decades.

A notable increase in infections attributed to human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been observed in China, prompting the authorities to enhance their screening, detection, and isolation measures in response to unidentified pathogens.

The virus is spreading among children age 14 and younger, but it’s unclear how much risk it might pose to those who get sick.

According to  the National Institute of Health, the HMP virus that spread in China has been present in Pakistan for 2 decades. The statement said that HMPV was first diagnosed in Pakistan in 2001.

A total 21 cases of this virus were reported in Islamabad in 2015. NIH officials said that the World Health Organization has not currently issued an advisory regarding HMPV.

He said that the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) meeting on the situation of HMPV in China will be held on January 7.

He said that the cases of seasonal influenza, especially influenza A and B, are emerging in Pakistan.

On the other hand, medical experts also said that cases of HMPV are coming up often.

It should be noted that according to international media reports, this virus was first reported in 2000 and there has been no major change in the severity of the disease.

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20,000 children under 5 years of age are affected by this virus in America every year and there are instructions to take corona measures to prevent the virus.