What is human metapneumovirus, are cases increasing in China and should we be concerned?
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory disease that causes flu or cold-like symptoms but can increase risks or lead to more serious complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia, especially in the elderly, young children, and people with weakened immune systems.
The disease belongs to the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and has been around since 2001, when the disease was first identified in the Netherlands. The outbreaks are concentrated during the colder seasons.
Why is HMPV in the news?
According to local authorities, cases have increased in northern China, especially among children. The country’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) has done just that warned people to take precautions in health and hygiene, but has also pushed back against online claims of overwhelmed hospitals and fears of another Covid-like pandemic.
“Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said on Friday.
“The diseases appear to be less severe and spreading on a smaller scale compared to the previous year.”
The apparent increase in cases is likely partly due to new technology making it easier to detect and identify HMPV, experts told the Guardian.
Also, “I think we’re just being more cautious about outbreaks now,” said Dr. Jacqueline Stephens, a senior lecturer in public health at Flinders University in Australia. “Everyone is hyper-vigilant, and you hear the term human metapneumovirus and it sounds kind of scary.”
How serious is HMPV?
The symptoms of HMPV are similar to a cold or flu, and it is one of several viruses often included under the broad definition of “the common cold,” Stephens said. It is not a notifiable disease like Covid-19 or influenza.
“There’s a whole bunch of others… that don’t need to be reported because they’re very common and a lot of people get them. They make us feel terrible for a few days, but if we rest and recover for a few days, we get better,” Stephens said.
Who is most at risk?
HMPV can lead to more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia in the elderly, very young children, and people with weakened immune systems.
“It certainly can and does cause serious illness. That’s why I think it’s important that people know it exists,” said Prof Paul Griffin, director of infectious diseases at Mater Health Services in Brisbane.
“The challenge is there isn’t much we can do at the moment other than inform people it’s there to reduce transmission. There is no vaccine or antivirals, although there are some vaccines in development,” said Griffin.
How worried should we be?
HMPV is not like Covid-19 in that it has been around for decades and there is some level of immunity among the world’s population against past infections, the experts said. Covid-19 was a new disease that had never infected humans before, causing pandemic-level spread.
“I don’t think we’re necessarily concerned about a pandemic with this virus, but the increase in cases and its impact are significant,” Griffin said. “There is a good lesson to be learned (from the pandemic) to reduce the spread, especially as we have no vaccines or antivirals against HMPV.”
What should we do about it?
“For a number of years (during Covid) we were good at taking precautions to get the numbers down, now we’re doing less and seeing a recovery,” said Griffin.
“I’m certainly not suggesting we go back to strict Covid restrictions, but staying at home, practicing good coughing and sneezing etiquette and hand hygiene are so important during the winter season.”
Both experts also urged people not to go to work while sick, and Stephens suggested wearing a mask if you must go out in the community to avoid further infecting others, especially those at higher risk.