THE human metapneumovirusalso known as HMPV, is reportedly on the rise in China, raising questions about the nature of the disease and whether it is of concern to Americans.
Chinese health authorities have not confirmed that HMPV was the cause of hospitalizations in the country, and recent reports from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that the increase may in fact be because of influenza A. But with less public knowledge about HMPV in the United States, concerns about a potential new pandemic have grown — even as experts say there is no cause for alarm.
“The fear of a pandemic can be allayed” Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, Plano Children’s Medical Center’s director of infection prevention and control told CBS News, adding that not only is the virus quite stable, but it is also not a new virus as was COVID-19. “It’s been circulating for a while, so people have some immunity to this human metapneumovirus.”
What is HMPV?
HMPV is a virus that can cause upper and lower respiratory illnesses in people of all ages. Young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk of serious illness from the virus.
The duration of illness varies depending on the severity of the individual case, but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms of HMPV
According to the CDC, symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Nasal congestion
- Shortness of breath
“Clinical symptoms of HMPV infection can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia and are similar to those of other viruses that cause upper and lower respiratory infections,” notes the CDC website.
Is HMPV a new virus?
HMPV is not new. It was first discovered in 2001 and is part of the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus, or VRSAccording to the CDC.
It may have been circulating even earlier – for decades or more than a century, Garcia Carreno said.
In the United States, HMPV typically circulates beginning in winter and lasts until late or late spring, the CDC says, and can circulate simultaneously with RSV and influenza during respiratory virus season.
Is HMPV worse than COVID?
Experts say China’s HMPV outbreak is not a major concern — it is neither a new, mysterious disease nor responsible for as many cases as COVID or other infections, even this season. According to the latest data from the CDC, HMPV represents less than 2% weekly positive tests for respiratory viruses. In comparison, flu accounted for almost 19% and COVID just over 7% for the same week.
For a disease to be considered locally widespread, it must have more than 10% positive results for two weeks. At 1.9%, Garcia Carreno said that’s not close to the flu, COVID and RSV numbers.
Researchers estimate that about 10 to 12 percent of respiratory illnesses in children are caused by HMPV, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
“Most cases are mild, but approximately 5 to 16 percent of children will develop a lower respiratory infection such as pneumonia,” the clinic’s website adds.
Transmission and prevention of HMPV
HMPV is transmitted by direct contact with a person who has it or by contact with objects contaminated with the virus.
“Unfortunately, compared to influenza, RSV and COVID, we do not have a vaccine for human metapneumovirus, so we do not have the advantage of preparing or strengthening our immune systems to fight these viruses,” Garcia Carreno said. “But nevertheless, everything we learned for COVID can be applied to methane.”
To prevent illness, take steps similar to those taken to prevent other respiratory viruses, such as washing your hands with soap and water and avoiding close contact with sick people.
“If anyone is sick, try to avoid crowds so you don’t expose everyone, especially vulnerable people,” Garcia Carreno said. “If this person is sick and cannot avoid going to a place where other people are around, then try to use a mask, practice coughing and sneezing etiquette, and wash well hands.”
