“This is not something that will spread by me talking or breathing like COVID. This is not the case with HMPV virus because it’s a droplet infection… because of cough. You will need to take precautions.”—Dr. Vishal Rao, an Indian surgical oncologist
***
A surge in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections in China has garnered significant media attention; however, prominent scientists and public health authorities assert that there is no immediate cause for concern.
However, recent images depicting hospitals in China filled with masked individuals have circulated on social media, raising fears of a potential new pandemic.
A report from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said the Chinese government has acknowledged an increase in cases of the flu-like HMPV, particularly among children, attributing this rise to a seasonal fluctuation.
Public health officials emphasize that HMPV differs from Covid-19, highlighting that the virus has existed for decades and that nearly every child is infected by the age of five. Nonetheless, it can lead to more severe illness in very young children and individuals with compromised immune systems.
According to the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO), trends in acute respiratory infections increase at this time of year in many countries of the Northern Hemisphere or the half of Earth that is north of the Equator.
“These increases are typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other common respiratory viruses, including HMPV, as well as mycoplasma pneumoniae,” said WHO in a statement.
Many countries conduct routine surveillance for acute respiratory infections and common respiratory pathogens. Currently, in some countries in the temperate Northern hemisphere, influenza-like illness (ILI) and/or acute respiratory infection (ARI) rates have increased in recent weeks and are above baseline levels, following usual seasonal trends.
“Seasonal influenza activity is elevated in many countries in the Northern hemisphere,” the United Nations health agency said. “Where surveillance data is available, trends in RSV detections currently vary by region with decreases reported in most regions except in North America.”
The WHO issued the statement because of the recent interest in HMPV cases in China, where people feared that another pandemic is in the offing.
“HMPV is a common respiratory virus found to circulate in many countries in winter through to spring, although not all countries routinely test and publish data on trends in HMPV,” the WHO said. “While some cases can be hospitalized with bronchitis or pneumonia, most people infected with HMPV have mild upper respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold and recover after a few days.”
Regarding the upsurge cases of HMPV in China, the WHO said: “The observed increase in respiratory pathogen detections is within the range expected for this time of year during the Northern hemisphere winter. In China, influenza is the most commonly detected respiratory pathogen currently affecting people with acute respiratory infections. WHO is in contact with Chinese health officials and has not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns.”
In its report to the WHO, Chinese authorities said that its health care system is not overwhelmed and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered.
WHO assured that the health agency continues to monitor respiratory illnesses at global, regional and country levels through collaborative surveillance systems, and provides updates as needed.
The website of Cleveland Clinic says HMPV is caused by a virus — a small germ that uses your cells to make more copies of itself. It’s part of the same group of viruses that cause RSV, measles, and mumps.
HMPV spreads through direct contact with someone who has it or from touching things contaminated with the virus. Cleveland Clinic cites the following instances: coughing and sneezing; shaking hands, hugging or kissing; and touching surfaces or objects like phones, door handles, keyboards or toys.
Among the symptoms of HMPV are cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath (medically known as dyspnea, and rash.
Anyone can get HMPV, but you’re at a higher risk for severe illness if you are younger than 5 (especially premature infants) or older than 65; have a weakened immune system (from conditions like HIV, cancer or autoimmune disorders, or from medications that suppress your immune system); and have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (common among those who smoke).
According to the Cleveland Clinic, HMPV sometimes causes complications. These might be serious and require you to be hospitalized. They include bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma or COPD flare-ups, and ear infection (otitis media).
An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, so goes a popular saying. You can reduce your risk of getting HMPV and other infectious diseases by washing your hands often with soap and water (if you aren’t able to use soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer) and covering your nose and mouth — with your elbow, not your bare hand — when you sneeze or cough.
Other precautions include: avoiding being around other people when you or they are sick with a cold or other contagious diseases; wearing a mask if you’re sick and can’t avoid being around others; avoiding touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth; and not sharing food or eating utensils (forks, spoons, cups) with others.
