Metapneumovirus not a pandemic threat – Georgian medical expert

Metapneumovirus is a common virus in Georgia, with nearly every child under five having been exposed to it, said Ivane Chkhaidze, Medical Director of Iashvili Central Children’s Hospital, at a press conference. While the virus can cause severe illness in young children, elderly individuals, and those with chronic conditions, it primarily manifests as mild cold-like symptoms in the general population aged 5–65, he said.

Chkhaidze addressed concerns linking metapneumovirus to pandemic fears, emphasizing that it cannot be compared to COVID-19. “Unlike the coronavirus, nearly all children have developed some immunity to metapneumovirus,” he noted, referencing research showing a 99% transmission rate among children under five. He added that Georgia’s advanced monitoring capabilities, including weekly virus data from the Lugar Laboratory, allow for effective tracking.

Recent data show a decline in cases, with only two confirmed last week, one involving pneumonia. Globally, an uptick in cases, particularly in northern China, is considered seasonal and not a public health emergency, according to the WHO, the doctor noted.

Chkhaidze concluded, “Metapneumovirus has been present for years without causing major outbreaks or severe epidemics. There is no basis to regard it as a pandemic-level threat.”