HMPV Virus: What it is, all you need to know

HMPV Virus: Following five years of the COVID-19 pandemic, China is now facing a surge of cases related to the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a new respiratory virus. Multiple media reports and social media posts highlighted that HMPV is rapidly spreading across the country, with some claiming that hospitals and crematoriums are overwhelmed.

In some online videos, crowded hospitals, and users have reported that several viruses, including Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19, are circulating concurrently.

The recent spike in HMPV infections has led to a significant rise in sudden deaths, with individuals aged 40 to 80 being disproportionately affected. Reports suggest that children's hospitals are particularly strained due to an increase in pneumonia and 'white lung' cases.

Data from the Chinese CDC in late December indicated a fluctuation and increase in the positive rate of HMPV among individuals aged 14 and under, as reported by China's state broadcaster CCTV.

What is HMPV?

HMPV, discovered in 2001, belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Although the virus was identified in 2001, serological studies suggest it has existed in humans for over 60 years and is globally distributed. It can cause both upper and lower respiratory diseases in individuals of all ages, with young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems being most vulnerable.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies common symptoms of HMPV as cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath.

HMPV is transmitted through respiratory droplets, person-to-person contact, and touching contaminated surfaces. The virus has an incubation period of three to five days.

Preventative measures include wearing masks, frequent handwashing, and boosting immunity. Experts have advised against the use of antivirals for HMPV, as there is no vaccine for the virus and its symptoms are similar to a common cold. A respiratory expert from a Shanghai hospital recently cautioned the public against using antiviral drugs indiscriminately for HMPV.

In 2023, HMPV was detected in several countries, including the Netherlands, the UK, Finland, Australia, Canada, the US, and China.

(With inputs from agencies)