What you need to know about HMPV

Rising Cases of Flu-like Virus HMPV in China: What You Need to Know

Reports of increasing cases of a flu-like virus known as human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China have sparked some public concern. However, experts emphasize that the situation is not comparable to the early days of Covid-19.

Understanding HMPV

What is HMPV?
HMPV, or human metapneumovirus, typically causes mild upper respiratory tract infections. The virus spreads through person-to-person contact or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms
Common symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Fever
• Nasal congestion

These are similar to those caused by the common cold or flu.

Who is at Risk?
While the virus generally causes mild illness, it can lead to more severe symptoms in vulnerable groups, such as:

• Young children
• The elderly
• People with weakened immune systems

Prevention and Care
Public health advice for HMPV mirrors that for the flu. According to John Tregoning, a vaccine immunology professor at Imperial College London, measures include:

• Staying in well-ventilated spaces
• Covering your mouth when coughing
• Washing your hands frequently

For those infected, rest, hydration, and avoiding contact with others are recommended.

How HMPV Differs from Covid-19

The emergence of Covid-19 in late 2019 caused severe illness because it was a novel virus, and the population had no prior immunity. In contrast, HMPV has been circulating for decades, meaning most people have some level of protection.

Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, notes that nearly every child contracts HMPV at least once by age five, with many people experiencing reinfections throughout their lives.

HMPV is simply one of many winter respiratory viruses that circulate each year, according to Tregoning.

China’s Response

China’s National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) recently highlighted its ongoing efforts to monitor and prevent respiratory illnesses, including HMPV. Officials noted:

• A rise in influenza cases
• A decline in rhinovirus cases
• An increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among children aged 0–4
• A slight uptick in HMPV cases among those under 14

Despite this, Kan Biao, a senior NCDC official, emphasized that the scale of respiratory infections this winter is lower than last year.

Global Perspective

Images of crowded hospital emergency rooms in China have circulated on social media, raising concerns. However, such scenes are common during winter, especially during flu season.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that current respiratory infection levels in China are within normal ranges for the season. WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris added, "It's what we would expect to see during winter."

China’s foreign ministry also assured that it remains safe to travel to the country.

Key Takeaway

While HMPV cases in China are rising, experts agree this is part of the normal seasonal cycle of respiratory illnesses. It does not pose a global threat akin to the Covid-19 pandemic.