Ministry of Health Coronavirus Scientific Committee Member, Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Tevfik Özlü spoke about the cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which has been seen in China recently and causes respiratory tract infections, following the coronavirus pandemic that shook the world. Prof. emphasized that the accuracy of the news that human metapneumovirus cases are increasing in China and that there is congestion in hospitals is uncertain. Dr. Özlü said, “Human metapneumovirus is a virus we have known since 2001. It causes upper respiratory infections, especially in humans.
These are mostly infections such as colds and flu. It can also cause diseases such as bronchitis in the lower respiratory tract. Sometimes severe pneumonia may also occur. Recently in the media; I see reports that there are many cases of human metapneumovirus in China, and that there are stampedes and crowding in hospitals. It is also questionable how much of this news reflects reality and whether it has anything to do with current situations. China has not yet made such a statement. “The World Health Organization does not have a warning about the issue,” he said.
‘I DO NOT SEE ANY DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL CAUSE CONCERNS’
Prof. Dr. Tevfik Özlü stated that the Ministry of Health in Turkey regularly monitors the virus in question within the screening system and said, “It is very normal to experience a viral increase in such infections during the season. This is not an unexpected situation. This virus, like other respiratory viruses, causes infections in the winter months.” causes an increase.
In Turkey, the Ministry of Health is scanning this virus within its screening system. Regular samples are taken from every region of Turkey. There is no abnormal situation in Turkey so far.
I don’t see any developments that would cause alarm. Infections caused by such viruses may occur seasonally. There is no information about whether the virus that is the source of these news is a new virus. This virus is one that we see cyclically. “We need to watch it carefully,” he said.
(DHA)