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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding the rumour spreading around online media yesterday (February 26) that the cases of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in Pok Oi Hospital are the same as infection by the Novel Coronavirus (i.e. New SARS), the Hospital Authority spokesman issued the following clarification today (February 27):
Human metapneumovirus infection most commonly occurs in late winter and early spring. The virus was first reported in the Netherlands in 2001. Human metapneumovirus is a single stranded RNA virus, belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family, which includes the parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus. It is neither SARS nor the novel coronavirus.
According to information on the Centre for Health Protection website, children are primarily affected. Adults, especially elderly and the immunocompromised, are also susceptible. Human metapneumovirus causes clinical symptoms of varying severity in children such as fever, cough, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath. Some children may also present with otitis media, diarrhoea, vomiting, rash, and febrile convulsions. In adults, hMPV usually causes mild disease characterised by cough, hoarseness, runny nose and sputum production. Transmission is likely to occur by direct or close contact with infectious secretions and the incubation period is usually three to five days.
Members of the public may browse the Centre of Health Protection website (www.chp.gov.hk) for more information on human metapneumovirus.
Ends/Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 13:21
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