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Chinese officials reported a slight decline in human metapneumovirus cases on Sunday amid growing concerns about a fresh global pandemic. 17 cases of the flu-like virus have been reported in India so far – with officials insisting there is no cause for concern about the situation.
“Human metapneumovirus is not a new virus, and has been with humans for at least several decades. Currently, the rate of positive cases in the detection of human metapneumovirus is fluctuating, and the rate of positive cases is declining in the northern provinces, and the rate of positive cases in patients 14 years of age and younger. The decline has begun,” said Wang Liping – a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Concerns over a surge in hMPV infections in northern China emerged in recent days, when photos of crowds of maskless patients in hospitals circulated online. The World Health Organization said it had not received reports of unusual outbreaks in China or elsewhere.
Meanwhile Indian authorities are preparing for the outbreak, with hospital wards in several major cities being prepared.
In which states has the infection been reported?
India has reported 17 cases in the past few days – including five from the western state of Gujarat. The list also includes three cases each from Maharashtra and West Bengal and two cases each from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Both Assam and Puducherry have reported one case.
(with inputs from agencies)
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