Since the beginning of the epidemic season, 30 cases of metapneumovirus disease have been identified in Kazakhstan, the press service of the Republic’s Ministry of Health reported on the Telegram channel.
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“Since the beginning of the epidemic season, 8,360 samples have been examined for non-influenza viruses throughout the republic. Of these, 1,866 (22 percent) positive samples were identified, including <…> coronavirus – 206 (11.1 percent), parainfluenza – 178 (9.5 percent) , bocavirus – 113 (6.1 percent) and lastly metapneumovirus – 30 (1.6 percent),” the publication says.
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Moreover, since October 1, a total of 2,002,335 cases of ARVI and 941 cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza have been registered in Kazakhstan.
China’s Disease Control and Prevention Administration, in turn, published a study on January 2 that noted an increase in the number of respiratory diseases in the week from December 23 to 29.
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Influenza ranked first in prevalence (30.2 percent), followed by human metapneumovirus (6.2 percent). Moreover, in both cases there was an increase in the number of cases compared to the previous week.
Among those infected with human metapneumovirus, children under 14 years of age and elderly people over 60 predominate.
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Human metapneumovirus is one of the classical viruses that has been actively circulating in various countries for decades. This virus, like other infections, is especially active during the seasonal peak incidence of ARVI and influenza. According to experts, it is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets, less often by household contact.
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The main symptoms of metapneumovirus:
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cough,
runny nose,
dyspnea,
fever,
headache.
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There is no specific treatment, only symptomatic treatment is used.
