Deputy Minister of Health: People should not panic about the pneumonia virus from China

'The Ministry of Health recommends that people regularly update official information from the Ministry of Health to avoid causing panic' - Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said at the Government press conference on the afternoon of January 8.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen - Photo: NGOC AN

Regarding information about the HMPV virus causing pneumonia in humans in China, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen confirmed that recently, the monitoring system recorded information from press channels and social networks about cases of pneumonia virus in China.

Respiratory tract infections are common in China.

Accordingly, from December 23 to December 29, 2024, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded the results of key surveillance of acute respiratory infectious diseases, the main agent of which is influenza virus (HMPV).

Shortly thereafter, the Chinese Foreign Ministry officially informed that the respiratory infections spreading in this country are common and peak at this time of year; at the same time, it affirmed that there were no adverse medical events.

Mr. Tuyen described that this HMPV virus is transmitted through the respiratory tract, through droplets, sneezing, runny nose or talking. When infected with this virus , symptoms are similar to the common cold such as fever, cough, stuffy nose and can cause complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

In particular, the disease is transmitted through the respiratory tract and often increases in winter with cold, dry weather conditions and the possibility of getting sick is high, often in children under 5 years old, the elderly, and people with underlying medical conditions due to weak immune systems.

"Currently, the Chinese health authorities have confirmed that China's health system is not overloaded and the current hospital utilization rate is lower than last year and there is no emergency response declaration during the implementation of disease prevention and control," Mr. Tuyen affirmed.

In addition, the Deputy Minister of Health said that the World Health Organization also assessed that seasonal epidemics caused by respiratory pathogens often occur in winter in temperate climate areas.

At the same time, people in countries during winter are advised to take basic measures to prevent the spread and minimize risks caused by respiratory agents, especially vulnerable groups.

At the same time, the organization also recommends not applying any restrictions on trade and travel related to the current trend of acute respiratory diseases.

People do not panic, proactively prevent epidemics

In response to the epidemic situation, the Deputy Minister of Health said that the ministry has proactively monitored and updated through the event monitoring and surveillance system and implemented it daily, while closely coordinating and sharing with the world health system and the US Centers for Disease Control.

Our country is also in the winter-spring season, with very favorable conditions for viruses to develop, including viruses that cause respiratory infections.

The Ministry of Health has issued recommendations and messages for people to proactively implement measures to prevent spring epidemics and this document of the Ministry of Health has been sent to health departments for implementation.

"The Ministry of Health recommends that people regularly update official information from the Ministry of Health to avoid causing panic," Mr. Tuyen said, and asked the media to publish official information to help people avoid panic.

At the same time, he recommended that people not be subjective or negligent and implement epidemic prevention measures according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health.

Including measures such as eating cooked food, drinking boiled water, exercising to improve physical fitness and health, regularly washing hands with soap, using masks in public places and crowded areas.

Especially keep warm in cold weather and take children to get vaccinated fully and on schedule according to the instructions of the health sector.

When there are signs of illness, people are advised to go immediately to medical facilities for examination, prevention instructions as well as treatment to ensure proper professional requirements.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-truong-bo-y-te-benh-virus-gay-viem-phoi-tu-trung-quoc-nguoi-dan-khong-nen-hoang-mang-2025010817515961.htm