An urgent warning has been issued after a rise in cases of a virus “you’ve never head of”.
While most of us are familiar with Coronavirus and season flu, the Human Metapneumovirus is a lesser-known respiratory virus. However, while most seasonal viruses can be shaken off, helped along with over-the-counter medication – or even prevented with vaccines – hMPV can not.
Dr. Samer Sader, vice president and chief medical officer at Carle Health in the United States, has now warned children and the elderly with serious chronic illnesses need to be careful, especially as the virus has around a 10% mortality rate.
He said: “The people that we do worry about are the people who are getting treatments for cancer, people who are getting treatments for auto-immune disorders, and people who have chronic lung diseases such as bad emphysema, or COPD.
