The Ministry of Health reassures: the Chinese winter virus – did not spread in Israel

The Ministry of Health published an announcement this morning (Friday) aimed at reassuring the public regarding the HMPV virus, which has been reported as the cause of an increase in respiratory morbidity in China. According to the ministry’s statement, this virus is not new and has been known for over twenty years as part of the seasonal winter viruses. It belongs to the same family that includes the RSV virus and is characterized by similar symptoms: respiratory illness is usually mild, but sometimes can cause more severe illness, especially among young children, the elderly and the immunocompromised.

According to the Ministry of Health, the virus appears as part of the routine winter illness, and its activity in Israel has been consistently monitored in recent years. At this stage, the level of morbidity of this virus in Israel is very low, and does not deviate compared to similar periods in previous years. Moreover, all global health organizations, including the World Health Organization, the American Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the European Center for Disease Prevention emphasized that the increase in respiratory morbidity in China is expected for the winter season and is not unusual.

Increase in respiratory morbidity and tragic flu stories

Meanwhile, this winter there were three tragic deaths of girls in Israel as a result of the flu. The cases caused panic in the public and led tens of thousands of Israelis to hurry and get vaccinated.

One of the most difficult cases was that of a five-year-old girl who suffered from underlying diseases and died from the flu combined with a bacterial infection at Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba. It was also reported that an 18-year-old girl from Jerusalem and a 13-year-old girl from Elad died in the last two weeks after contracting the flu.

In the shadow of the health system facing heavy burdens, with occupancy of up to 150 percent in the internal wards and 200 percent in the emergency rooms – the HMO data indicates a jump in people getting vaccinated: 6,450 people came to be vaccinated at the United HMO last week, and 3,500 people at the Leumi HMO, a figure that shows the The total number of those vaccinated in the corresponding period of December.

Influenza monitoring tests show that most Israelis have been infected with the A and B strains, both of which are included in the seasonal vaccine given at the health funds. The vaccine is available to everyone without the need for a doctor’s prescription, and is especially recommended for populations at risk, such as the elderly and children.

The Ministry of Health urges the public to continue taking preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, using masks in case of illness, and keeping a distance from people with symptoms of illness.