Why HMPV is Not Disease X …Yet, By Brian Simpson

The respiratory infection HMPV has resulted in communist China's hospitals being packed, mainly with younger people. There are various photographs, as in the linked article below, showing people in waiting rooms, packed like Asian sardines. And, as we know, as dissents, there has been comments from the globalist pandemic crowd speculating that this could be the disease X, more severe than Covid-19. The anti-vaxxers point out that HMPV is taking the same path that Covid-19 did, so will we expect to see outbreaks of this disease in the West in the next few months?

The virus experts, as far as they can be trusted, as detailed below, do not believe that there is a pandemic potential for HMPV, although the Chinese as always have not been forthcoming with information about the specific strain that is in China. There is presently a high flu season in the UK, not so much in the US, but it is not known if HMPV is the cause. As well, the experts are not concerned about the epidemiological impact of HMPV, as it is usually mild except for the elderly and immune challenged. And if there was any mileage in this infection, be sure the medical technocrats in the West would be exploiting it.

The bigger issue is bird flu, H5N1, where there has now been a death in the US in a classic transmission scenario. This one is no doubt waiting to be dropped upon Trump.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14258029/china-details-hpmv-outbreak-UK-experts.html

"Top British virus experts have called on Chinese authorities to disclose vital information about a worrying outbreak of the respiratory infection hMPV, which is reported to be overwhelming its hospitals.

The UK authorities 'need more information on the specific strain circulating' in order to accurately assess the threat to the British public, warned virus expert Dr Andrew Catchpole.

It comes as cases of the infection — which features cold-like symptoms — rise across the UK, with graphs showing doubling in numbers over the last month.

Currently, as many as one in 20 cases of respiratory infections could be due to the infection, which is known as human metapneumovirus (hMPV), according to the latest UK surveillance data.

'hMPV is usually detected in the winter periods but it does seem that the rates of serious infection may be higher in China than what we would expect in a normal year,' said Dr Catchpole, who is chief scientific officer at infectious disease testing firm hVIVO.

'We need more information on the specific strain that is circulating to start to understand if this is the usual circulating strains or if the virus causing high infection rates in China has some differences.'

He added: 'It is unclear just how high the numbers are or if issues are arising purely due to coinciding with high flu and Covid levels.'

Promisingly, Dr Catchpole noted that while hMPV 'does mutate and change over time with new strains emerging', it is 'not a virus considered to have pandemic potential'.

Speaking to MailOnline, multiple experts urged Britons not to panic, as the vast majority of infections cause 'mild, cold-like symptoms'.

However, for those with compromised immune systems — very young children, the elderly and those with certain underlying conditions — the infection could lead to more serious disease.

'In young children, the elderly and those who are immune compromised, hMPV can lead to severe cases and can move to the lower respiratory tract and may lead to pneumonia,' warned Jaya Dantas, a professor of international health at Curtin University in Australia.

'We need to use a cautious and measured approach, as we know so much more since the Covid pandemic.'

Beijing has downplayed footage of overcrowded waiting rooms and wards posted on social media, saying respiratory infections are 'less severe' and 'smaller in scale' compared to last year.

That has led some to fear there are similarities with the current situation and the Covid outbreak in 2019, which was initially minimised by China.

Although British experts have remarked that the scenes in Chinese hospitals appear little different to that of UK healthcare at this time of year.

Scientists have urged the public to take precautions to limit the spread of hMPV, as well as the multiple other respiratory viruses known to be circulating.

'We need to get tested, stay home and away from others, wear a mask in public and protect our most vulnerable,' said prof Dantas.

Meanwhile professor John Tregoning, an expert in vaccine immunology at Imperial College London added: 'Protecting yourself by being in well-ventilated spaces, covering your mouth when you cough and washing your hands will all help.'

The calls for greater transparency from China follow a chorus of similar pleas from international experts.

Dr Sanjaya Senanayake, infectious disease expert associate professor of medicine at The Australian National University, said it was 'vital for China to share its data on this outbreak in a timely manner', including 'data about who is getting infected.'

He added: 'Also, we will need genomic data confirming that HMPV is the culprit, and that there aren't any significant mutations of concern. Such genomic data will also guide vaccine development.'

Meanwhile the US has seen its own increase in HMPV cases, with positive test percentages doubling from the beginning to the end of December.

According to the latest CDC data, just under 300 positive test results reported during the last week of December, the latest figures available.

The US CDC said it is 'monitoring' the cases in China but believe they are 'not currently a cause for concern in the US.'

hMPV first emerged in 2001 and typically causes symptoms of a common cold.

But more severe symptoms such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia can occur, with sufferers experiencing a shortness of breath, severe cough or wheezing.

Children, the elderly and immunocompromised patients are at the highest risk of severe complications.

Because the virus is usually mild, its exact death rate is unknown. But experts estimate anywhere from 10 to 30 percent of patients hospitalised with hMPV die.

Dr Senanayake cautioned that China's increase in hMPV cases is akin to a 'bad flu season' and was not likely to escalate into a global problem."