Reversal of the situation! The metapneumovirus that sickened the patient in Oradea, and which was said to be the Chinese one, may not, however, come from Asia. This is the statement of DSP Bihor specialists, who are awaiting confirmation from the Cantacuzino Institute in Bucharest.
The metapneumovirus makes us sick with colds. Archive
“The HMPV virus was confirmed following PCR testing carried out by doctors at the hospital. However, to see which strain it is, samples were taken and sent today to the Cantacuzino Institute in Bucharest. We are still waiting for the results, it is not known when they will come. Those from Bucharest told me there is no specific deadline for when they will be sent to us. It all depends on when the sample is being worked on, how many samples there are, etc“said for “Adevărul” the chief physician of DSP Bihor, dr. Calin Sonea.
A short time ago, DSP Bihor also sent a press release. “Regarding the case detected with human metapneumovirus (HMPV), at the Bihor Emergency County Clinical Hospital (SCJUB) and for which the DSP Bihor received the result on 01.08.2025, we make the following clarifications:
- The detected person is female, aged 67, lived with her daughter in Oradea since November 2024, having a history of chronic pathology.
- On January 4th, this person presented to the SCJUB UPU service with symptoms of acute respiratory failure, dyspnea, productive cough, myalgias, arthralgias, altered general condition with onset on 12.26.2024. The patient is admitted to the Department of Pneumology – Acute Therapy and pharyngeal exudate is collected, the sample is processed in the SCJUB laboratory using the PCR method – Multiplex – Respiratory Panel 2.1 plus. On 01/08/2025, the SCJUB laboratory transmits the Human Metapneumovirus detection to the Department of Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases within DSP Bihor, as part of the weekly report. The strain was sent to the DSP Bihor laboratory on 01/08/2025 at 1 p.m., and it was sent to the Cantacuzino Institute Bucharest (INCDMMC) this morning, 01/09/2025.
- Currently the hospitalized patient is in a stable condition”the communiqué states.
Hospital spokesperson: “The patient is in a stable condition”
Lisa Crăiuț, spokesperson for the Oradea County Hospital, told us that the patient is in a good general condition. “She is conscious, she eats, she hydrates, she communicates with us, she is not immobilized in bed. She is admitted to the pulmonology ward and is receiving drug treatment to relieve her symptoms. For now, no antivirals have been prescribed to him, but he is receiving oxygen therapy”.
The patient, continues the spokesperson, presented herself at the County Hospital on January 4 with specific symptoms of respiratory virus: fever, cough, sore throat. “PCR was tested, and as a result of the testing, this respiratory virus was discovered. But I cannot confirm to you at this time that it is the Chinese strain. We are waiting for this confirmation from the Cantacuzino Institute in Bucharest, where the samples were sent”.
Because of her advanced age and comorbidities, doctors decided that the woman should be hospitalized, treated for symptoms, and monitored. “Then, depending on the results of the samples analyzed in Bucharest, the doctors will decide what the appropriate treatment plan will be.”
The human metapneumovirus (HMPV), continues Lisa Crăiuț, is a known one, it occurs frequently and makes us sick with the so-called cold. “The hospital notified the Directorate of Public Health, and those there started an epidemiological investigation.” The patient, also says the spokesperson of the medical unit, did not travel abroad, so the virus was taken from the territory of Romania.
Epidemiologist: “Aggressive and long-lasting cough, a specific symptom of this virus”
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and presents with mild symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, nasal congestion and difficulty breathing. The patient has a low fever, maybe 38 degrees Celsius, no muscle pain, but instead has a runny nose and, most importantly, a cough. It is a dry cough in the head of the chest, strong, annoying and persistent even two or three weeks after healing. This would be the symptom that may indicate that you have been infected with the virus. If you test against the flu and COVID, and the results are negative, you have most likely contacted the Human Metapneumovirus”.
The disease can also lead to severe complications such as pneumonia in certain cases, especially in people with a weakened immune system. But children and the elderly are also in the risk group. “We are talking about a virus discovered in 2001 that does not make us seriously ill. But, obviously, on the background of a weakened immune system, the most severe complications can occur”, explains the specialist. “Those with pre-existing respiratory diseases, asthma, bronchitis, smokers, cancer patients, immunosuppressed people can develop more serious forms. But in these people, any virus gets complicated and can trigger bacterial pneumonia or other conditions”, added dr. Black. The disease lasts between 12-13 days, and then it is cured thanks to the immune system fighting the virus.
Recommendations from DSP Bihor. How to prevent diseases
According to the press release sent by DSP Bihor, the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been known for over 20 years, it is part of the same family of viruses as the respiratory syncytial virus, having a regular circulation in the cold season for several years. “It causes cold or flu-like symptoms such as cough, runny nose, congestion and difficulty breathing, after which people usually recover within a few days. However, some infections can develop serious forms (especially in infants and young children, the elderly, people with compromised immunity, patients with chronic lung diseases) and require hospitalizationr. Like other viruses, HMPV spreads through coughs and sneezes, so it’s important to follow flu prevention measures during flu season. “The detection of the virus is not a cause for alarm, but we remind you that it is important to observe the minimum health protection measures against respiratory viruses/flu:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water;
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze and throw it away after use. Do not reuse handkerchiefs or napkins. The flu virus and other respiratory viruses can survive temporarily outside the body, so you can become infected by touching used handkerchiefs and tissues;
- If you don’t have a tissue available, sneeze by covering your nose and mouth entirely with the crook of your arm;
- Ventilate the rooms in which you carry out activities daily;
- Avoid crowded places, and if they cannot be avoided, it is recommended to wear a protective mask in public transport, in sanitary facilities, etc.;
- Stay home when you are sick. If you feel worse, ask your family doctor for help;
- Do not take the child to the collective and other crowded places if he has signs and symptoms of influenzauntil they disappear and contact the family doctor for the recommendations to be followed”, it is also stated in the press release sent by DSP Bihor.
