Ireland is monitoring the spread of Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a respiratory virus that recently surged in China and the UK. While Ireland stopped reporting hMPV cases in October 2024 due to testing accuracy concerns, the virus' presence in the UK suggests it's likely circulating in Ireland too. hMPV causes cold-like symptoms and spreads through coughing, sneezing, or contaminated surfaces.
Ireland is on high alert after the UK reported a spike in cases of the former 'mystery' virus that recently affected China. Earlier this month, China had to implement emergency measures after the virus, later identified as HMPV , rapidly spread across its northern provinces.
In Ireland, HMPV had been monitored as part of the surveillance system, but it was stopped in October 2024 due to concerns over testing accuracy. Ireland's Health Protection Surveillance Centre said: "As of 14/10/2024 HPSC has ceased reporting on detections of hMPV from virological surveillance of sentinel and non-sentinel specimens. This is due to an increased risk of false positive results from the routine respiratory panel.
HMPV is not a new virus to humans, with the first case of a human infection reported in 2001 in the Netherlands. It tends to circulate during the winter in many countries, including Ireland. "Unfortunately, every winter we see rises in certain infections, including seasonal flu and winter vomiting virus . While for many, such illnesses are unpleasant but relatively mild, for some people, especially the very young or those who are older, and some with underlying medical conditions, these infections can be very serious.
HMPV Human Metapneumovirus Virus Respiratory Infections Health Alert
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