The human metapneumovirusalso known as HMPV, is reportedly on the rise in China, raising questions about what the disease is and whether it is a concern in the US
Chinese health officials have not confirmed that HMPV is the cause of hospitalizations in the country, and recent reports from Center for Disease Control and Prevention of China show that the increase may indeed be due to influenza A. But as the public has become less aware of HMPV in the U.S., concerns about a possible new pandemic have grown, although experts say there is no cause for concern.
“Pandemic concerns can be put to rest,” Dr. Carlo Garcia Carreno, Plano Children's Medical Center Director of Infection Prevention and Control told CBS News, adding that not only is the virus fairly stable, but it's not a new virus like 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 tract infections 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 the illness varies depending on the severity of the 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
- Dikhavitsa
“Clinical symptoms of HMPV infection can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia and are similar to other viruses that cause upper and lower respiratory tract infections,” the CDC website notes.
Is HMPV a new virus?
HMPV is not new. It was first identified in 2001 and is part of the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus, or RSVAccording to the Center for Disease Control.
It may have circulated even earlier — for decades or more than a century, García Carreno said.
In the U.S., HMPV typically circulates starting in the winter and lasting until or into spring, the CDC reports, and can circulate at the same time as RSV and influenza during the respiratory virus season.
Is HMPV worse than COVID?
Experts say the HMPV outbreak in China is not a major concern — it is not a new mystery disease and is not causing as many cases as COVID or other infections even this season. According to the latest CDC data, HMPV is less than 2% weekly positive tests for respiratory viruses. In comparison, the flu accounted for nearly 19% and COVID for just over 7% in the same week.
For the disease to be considered widespread locally, it must be above 10% positive results within two weeks. At 1.9%, Garcia Carreno said it's nowhere near the rates of flu, COVID and RSV.
According to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 10% to 12% of respiratory illnesses in children are caused by HMPV.
“Most cases are mild, but approximately 5% to 16% of children develop a lower respiratory tract infection, such as pneumonia,” the clinic's website adds.
HMPV transmission and prevention
HMPV is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person or by touching things contaminated with the virus.
“Unfortunately, compared to influenza, RSV, and COVID, we don't have a vaccine against human metapneumovirus, so we don't have that advantage to prepare or strengthen our immune system to fight these viruses,” Garcia-Carena said. “But still, everything else we've learned about COVID can apply to methane as well.”
To prevent the disease, take measures similar to the prevention of other respiratory viruses, that is, wash your hands with soap and water and avoid close contact with sick people.
“If someone is sick, try to avoid crowds so you don't expose everyone, especially vulnerable people,” Garcia Carreno said. “If that person is sick and can't avoid going to places where other people are, try to use a mask, use cough and sneeze etiquette and wash your hands well.”