What is the HMPV virus emerging in China?

Many viruses are experiencing their strongest season in years. Flu, norovirus and RSV are all on the rise in many countries, including the US. In northern China, a common disease, human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is on the rise and making global headlines.

But public health officials have urged calm about the disease, which is generally mild and has been circulating for decades — even though many people have never heard of it.

“Respiratory tract infections tend to peak during the winter season,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said of HMPV on Friday. The independent. “The diseases appear to be less severe and spreading on a smaller scale compared to the previous year.”

So what is HMPV and should you worry about it?

What is HMPV?

Human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is a virus that causes cold and flu-like symptoms. It is common and responsible for approximately 10 to 12% of respiratory diseases in children the Cleveland Clinic. It is in the same family of viruses as respiratory RSV.

HMPV can cause coughing, fever, runny nose, wheezing, sore throat, shortness of breath, and rash. Most people experience relatively mild symptoms, but these can develop into bronchitis or pneumonia. The elderly, young children and people with existing lung conditions or a compromised immune system are more likely to develop serious illness.

The disease normally clears up within a few days or a week, with more severe cases possibly lasting longer. There is no vaccine or specific medication for HMPV, but people with severe symptoms may be hospitalized and given treatments such as oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids and steroids to aid their recovery.

The virus spreads through coughing and sneezing, kissing and hugging, and contact with contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs or keys. So you can protect yourself by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, covering your nose and mouth with your elbow when you cough and sneeze, and staying away from people with cold symptoms.

It’s also a good idea not to share utensils such as knives and forks with other people or drink from the same cup.

Does HMPV exist in the US?

HMPV was first discovered in 2001 and is now found all over the world. It has been documented in the US for decades and typically spreads more quickly during the colder months. Chinese officials even warned the public about it US HMPV cases at the end of spring 2023.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitors HMPV based on the percentage of positive tests. The results show that cases picked up steam in the US this season towards the end of November, with 1.94% of tests returning positive in the last week of 2024. This compared to an annual low of 0.25% of tests mid-September.

Should we worry about HMPV?

Experts have urged calm on HMPV, which they say is unlikely to result in a Covid-19 style pandemic. Governments do not generally consider it a ‘notifiable’ or ‘reportable’ disease that must be reported to officials. Per The Guardianit is possible that improvements in monitoring technology are to blame for the high numbers in northern China, as opposed to an unusually strong season.

Non-notifiable diseases “are very common and a lot of people get them,” Dr Jacqueline Stephens, a senior lecturer in public health at Flinders University in Australia, told the newspaper. “They make us feel terrible for a few days, but if we rest and recover for a few days, we get better.”

Stephens said the virus could receive more attention simply because societies are more concerned about infectious diseases after the pandemic. “I think we’re just being more cautious about outbreaks now,” she said. “Everyone is hyper-vigilant, and you hear the term human metapneumovirus and it sounds kind of scary.”

Like other winter diseases, individuals can protect themselves and others from HMPV by following standard hygiene measures. This is especially important for those most at risk from these viruses.