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I hate to say this but it feels like

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2020 all over

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again bustling hospitals mysterious

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illnesses and crowded waiting rooms in

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China are flooding social media feeds

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with the site all too

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familiar the spread of a new virus is

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festering through the world's second

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most populous country with northern

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China in particular recording arising

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cases during the winter months so what

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is

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hmpv and how much should be worry

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according to the CDC cases of human meta

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numo virus or hmpv spiked 36% higher

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than average the season it's not

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entirely unfamiliar to Australians hmpv

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is an acute respiratory illness that

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causes cold or flu like symptoms first

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reported in 2001 the virus can spark

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such symptoms as coughing a blocked or

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runny nose with congestion and shortness

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of breath much like the common cold but

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the severity VAR I among young children

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the elderly and the immuno compromised

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and can lead to harsher conditions like

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pneumonia or

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bronchitis neighboring countries to

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China said they were monitoring the

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spread of the respiratory virus but

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plated down the initial causes for alarm

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with an incubation period of 3 to 6 days

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hmpv can spread through coughing and

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sneezing close personal contact and

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touching objects that have the virus

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according to the

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CDC the key question is is hmp TV

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similar to

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co uh it was first discovered by uh

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scientists back in 2001 but has probably

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been around with us for decades if not

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centuries what's really happened is our

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testing has changed experts are quelling

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fears that this might lead to a new

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pandemic suggesting the situation was

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not yet comparable to the covid-19

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outbreak Health Minister Mark Butler

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told reporters on Sunday the government

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was watching the situation in China and

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he had asked his Department to keep him

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up to dat on any

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developments the illness is quite common

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in Australia with figures showing it was

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the fifth most common respiratory

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illness to be contracted in

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20124 with no vaccine to stop hmpv

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prevention includes following basic

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hygiene there is currently no evidence

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that the outbreak is out of the ordinary

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or that a new respiratory virus or

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illness has a Ed in China

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[Music]

Understanding HMPV: The Latest Respiratory Virus in China

In a deja vu moment reminiscent of 2020, reports of bustling hospitals, mysterious illnesses, and crowded waiting rooms are emerging from China once again. This time, it's the Human Meta Pneumo Virus (HMPV) causing concern, as it spreads through the world's second most populous country, particularly impacting northern China during the winter months.

What is HMPV and Should We Be Worried?

Cases of Human Metapneumovirus, or HMPV, have surged by 36% above average this season, raising alarms among health experts. HMPV is an acute respiratory illness that manifests with symptoms similar to a cold or flu, such as coughing, a blocked or runny nose, congestion, and shortness of breath. While it may seem like a common cold, the severity varies, posing a greater risk to young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, potentially leading to conditions like pneumonia or bronchitis.

Neighboring countries to China are closely monitoring the spread of this respiratory virus. With an incubation period of 3 to 6 days, HMPV spreads through coughing, sneezing, close personal contact, and contact with contaminated surfaces. However, experts are quick to point out that despite the similarities, HMPV is not akin to the infamous COVID-19.

Comparing HMPV to COVID-19

Discovered by scientists in 2001, HMPV has been circulating among us for potentially decades or even centuries. The shift in testing methods has brought this virus to the forefront, but health experts are assuring that this does not signal the advent of a new pandemic comparable to the COVID-19 crisis. Health Minister Mark Butler emphasized that the situation in China is being closely monitored, highlighting the absence of evidence suggesting an abnormal outbreak or the emergence of a new respiratory virus in the region.

Managing HMPV and Prevention Strategies

In Australia, HMPV is not unheard of, ranking as the fifth most common respiratory illness contracted in 20124. As there is no vaccine against HMPV, prevention primarily revolves around practicing good hygiene habits. While the outbreak in China garners attention, there is no indication yet that the situation is out of the ordinary or that a new respiratory illness has taken root in the region.

As the world keeps a watchful eye on the evolving situation with HMPV, it's essential to stay informed, maintain personal hygiene, and rely on credible sources for updates. While echoes of the past may ring in our ears, the collective efforts to combat such outbreaks have also grown stronger, offering hope for a swift resolution to this new challenge posed by HMPv in China.