EXCLUSIVE: The human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has caused concern as the NHS creaks under the pressure of a ‘quad-demic’, with shocking footage from Chinese hospitals circulating online
Horrifying scenes of hospitals overwhelmed with patients suffering with respiratory illnesses in China have brought memories of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic flooding back. The human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been spreading across China with videos of face mask-clad patients strewn across hospital wards and waiting rooms circulating social media.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) advised wearing a face mask in crowded areas in order to stem the spread of respiratory illnesses as schools in Wuhan, the area associated with the birth of Covid, were locked down. The introduction of mandatory face masks in the UK to combat the pandemic sparked fierce debates, protests and even arrests.
However, a public expert has told the Daily Star it is “unlikely” those ugly scenes will return to the UK because of HMPV. Professor of Health Systems at Dublin City University Antony Staines said: “I think it is unlikely [that face masks will be reintroduced].
“Certainly the human metapneumovirus would not be a good reason for bringing them in. For most people, it is a cold and nothing more. But for some people, as is the case for all of these viruses, some people get very sick with it. With Covid, a very substantial number of people get very sick with it.
“Other cold virus, very few people get sick. Human metapneumovirus is somewhere in between but not many people get sick with it.”
He added: “It isn’t a major human health problem, fortunately. The authorities who monitor these viruses will keep a very sharp eye on it. If anything changes, we should know about it within weeks. There is no indication now that anything is going to be any different this year from last year.”
If you think you have the virus, Prof Staines advises “staying at home, drinking plenty of water, resting and taking paracetamol”.
The HMPV has arrived on British shores as the NHS creaks under the pressure of a “quad-demic” with patients presenting at hospitals with the flu, RSV, Covid-19 and the norovirus. Prof Staines said the addition of the HMPV will not significantly add to NHS pressures as he pointed to the actual problem with Britain’s healthcare.
He said: “I don’t think it will have much affect at all. The NHS problems, the root is well known, which is the lack of social care. Hospitals have a large number of people in them who need to be minded and can’t mind themselves.
“In the normal run of events, there would be a variety of social care such as a nursing home or social care at home but all of that is very short supply because of local government funding cuts.
“There is very little the NHS can do directly. It is very much down to funding local authorities properly.”
The WHO’s assessment of the global threat posed by the HMPV advised people “take normal precautions to prevent the spread and reduce risks posed by respiratory pathogens, especially to the most vulnerable”.
“People with mild symptoms should stay home to avoid infecting other people and rest. People at high risk or with complicated or severe symptoms should seek medical care as soon as possible,” it said.
“Individuals should also consider wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent elbow, practice regular handwashing, and get recommended vaccines as per physician and local public health authorities’ advice.”
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