What is HMPV and How Does it Spread?

What is HMPV and How Does it Spread?

A rise in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in China has sparked concerns about a potential pandemic reminiscent of COVID-19.

HMPV 1
Photo: BBC

However, health experts emphasize that this virus is not a new threat and differs significantly from COVID-19. Like influenza, the virus has been around for decades and typically follows seasonal patterns.

Social media images of crowded hospitals with masked patients have fueled public anxiety, but specialists clarify that China and other countries are experiencing a seasonal uptick in HMPV cases, common during colder months.

What is HMPV, and What Are Its Symptoms?

HMPV spreads through direct human contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. For most individuals, it causes mild upper respiratory infections with symptoms resembling the flu, including cough, fever, and nasal congestion.

Young children, particularly those under two years old, are the most vulnerable. Additionally, individuals with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly or cancer patients, face a higher risk of severe complications. These complications can include wheezing, difficulty breathing, and croup-like symptoms, occasionally leading to hospitalization or, in rare cases, death.

Dr. Hsu Li Yang, an infectious disease specialist from Singapore, notes that while most infections are mild, a “small but significant proportion” of immunocompromised patients may experience severe lung infections requiring medical intervention.

HMPV 2
Photo: Getty Images

Why Are HMPV Cases Increasing in China?

Like many respiratory viruses, HMPV thrives in late winter and early spring due to cold temperatures and increased indoor gatherings. Northern China’s current this virus peak aligns with persistently low temperatures, expected to last until March.

Similar seasonal trends have been observed in other Northern Hemisphere countries, including the United States. Jacqueline Stephens, an epidemiologist from Flinders University in Australia, highlights that this seasonal surge is consistent with historical patterns.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring influenza-like illnesses globally. To date, Chinese authorities have confirmed that the healthcare system remains stable, with no emergency declarations or unusual outbreak patterns reported.

Could HMPV Trigger Another Pandemic?

Experts unanimously agree that fears of an HMPV pandemic akin to COVID-19 are unfounded. Unlike novel viruses, HMPV has circulated worldwide for decades, providing most populations with some level of existing immunity.

Dr. Hsu explains that global exposure to this virus reduces its pandemic potential. While the virus can cause severe illness in specific at-risk groups, its widespread presence and relatively mild nature for the general population lessen the likelihood of a global health crisis.

To minimize the risk of this virus and other respiratory infections, health officials recommend these practical measures:

  • Wear masks in crowded spaces.
  • Avoid large gatherings if at high risk.
  • Wash hands frequently.
  • Dispose of tissues properly.

Vaccinations against other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are also advised for high-risk groups, including pregnant women and older adults.

HMPV 3
Photo: AI Jazeera

Insights into HMPV’s History

This virus’s discovery in 2001 stemmed from studying respiratory illnesses in children testing negative for known viruses. Retrospective studies identified HMPV antibodies in samples from the 1950s, suggesting the virus has been prevalent for decades.

Pre-pandemic data from Australia ranked this virus as the third most common respiratory virus, trailing only influenza and RSV in adults, and RSV and parainfluenza in children. Research indicates that most children are exposed to HMPV by age five, developing antibodies that mitigate the severity of future infections.

While there is no specific treatment for this virus, hygiene practices and avoiding contact with infected individuals remain effective preventative measures. Advances in RSV immunizations have sparked optimism for similar developments targeting HMPV. Moderna has already initiated trials for an mRNA-based HMPV vaccine.

Despite the absence of an effective treatment, some antivirals may benefit severely ill patients. However, the generally mild nature of HMPV, combined with widespread immunity and the lack of significant past pandemics, reinforces that there is no cause for alarm.

HMPV 4
Photo: NDTV
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