Recent reports from news outlets and social media warn of a possible outbreak of a little-known virus called human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. However, official sources have not yet confirmed this claim.
Data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows an increase in flu-like illnesses in China, with reports up until the last week of 2024. According to this data, influenza is the main illness responsible for the outbreak, with 30.2% of flu tests coming back positive. This marks an increase of 6.2% from the previous week. In addition, 17.7% of people hospitalized with severe respiratory illnesses tested positive for influenza.
Interestingly, the same data reveals that HMPV is also circulating in China. HMPV is responsible for 6.2% of positive respiratory illness tests and 5.4% of respiratory illness-related hospitalizations, ahead of other viruses like COVID-19, rhinovirus, and adenovirus.
What Is HMPV?
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that can cause flu-like symptoms in people of all ages. Some groups are more vulnerable to the virus, including young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. The virus was discovered in 2001 and belongs to the same family as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), another flu-like virus.
As more people are tested for specific viruses when they experience flu-like symptoms, awareness of HMPV as a cause of respiratory illness has grown.
How Does HMPV Spread?
HMPV spreads in ways similar to other respiratory viruses. It is passed from person to person through droplets from coughing or sneezing, close contact like hugging or kissing, and touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus. Afterward, touching your mouth, nose, or eyes can lead to infection.
In the U.S., HMPV circulates seasonally, usually peaking in late winter and spring, alongside other flu-like illnesses.
To protect yourself from HMPV, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests washing your hands often with soap and water, avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands, and staying away from sick individuals.
If you have flu-like symptoms, it’s important to cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands frequently, avoid sharing utensils or cups, and stay home to rest and recover.
What Are the Symptoms of HMPV?
HMPV symptoms are similar to those of other flu-like illnesses. These include coughing, fever, and a runny or stuffy nose. In some cases, people may experience shortness of breath, which can develop into bronchitis (inflammation of the airways) or pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs).
The illness usually lasts as long as the flu, depending on how severe the symptoms are.
Could This Lead to Another Pandemic?
Since HMPV was only discovered recently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine available for it. If you catch the virus, doctors suggest treating it like the flu: stay home and allow your body to fight the infection.
While it’s too early to know if this outbreak in China could lead to a pandemic, HMPV is not a new virus. It has already circulated in populations in China, the U.S., and other countries, meaning there is some herd immunity. This makes the risk of a pandemic lower than it would be for a completely new virus like COVID-19.
If you have concerns about respiratory illnesses or are worried about your health, feel free to contact us at info@dailynewscrafts.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your question may even be featured in our next article!