An outbreak of a highly contagious virus in China it has health officers on alert.
Cases of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, which can lead to respiratory disease, are reportedly on the rise in northern China, national health officials said. Children aged 14 and under are said to be the most affected.
Although not as widely known as other viruses, HMPV is not new. This virus was first discovered in 2001 and is in the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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The possibility of a pandemic?
Videos have surfaced on social media showing overburdened Chinese hospitals, raising concerns potential epidemic.
An art teacher paints a picture to raise awareness against the spread of the HMPV virus in Mumbai, India, on January 6, 2025. (Getty)
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the increase was due to normal seasonal activity, saying in a statement on Friday, “Respiratory-related diseases are more common in winter… .”
The CDC said it is monitoring the virus through the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS).
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“CDC is aware of the reported increase in HMPV in China and is regularly meeting with international partners and monitoring reports of increased deaths,” a CDC spokesperson said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.
“These reports are not currently a cause for concern in the US, although further transmission of HMPV can be expected throughout the year, especially during the winter. respiratory virus season.”
The virus was first discovered in 2001 and is in the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the CDC. (iStock)
The agency also said, “We would expect existing surveillance systems to quickly detect any increase in HMPV cases in the US.”
“CDC will continue to monitor and provide important information to the public.”
Influenza A is currently driving hospitals in China, according to the same source.
“There's no reason to feel like it has taken over and become the next epidemic, but on the other hand, it's hard to know the full story.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, clinic professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical examiner, noted that HMPV is generally mild, but can lead to pneumonia.
“There is no reason to feel that it has taken over and is becoming the next epidemic, but on the other hand, it is difficult to know the full story because of China's denial of information,” he told Fox. News Digital.
“CDC is aware of the reported increase in HMPV in China and is regularly meeting with international partners and monitoring reports of increased deaths,” a CDC spokesperson said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital. (iStock)
Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, noted that most people are infected by the time they reach 5 years of age.
“It's a unique risk for children, but it's not thought to have a high epidemic potential,” he told Fox News Digital.
Symptoms and prevalence
Anyone can contract HMPV, but high-risk groups include young children, grown people and immunocompromised people, according to the CDC.
For most people, the symptoms of the virus are similar to the common cold – fever, nasal congestion and difficulty breathing, the health department said.
In severe cases, HMPV can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia.
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Most people will develop symptoms within three to six days after exposure, the CDC noted.
“It's like RSV and the flu, it can be very severe small childrenthe elderly, and in people with underlying conditions such as asthma or COPD,” said Scarpino.
HPMV is usually spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing or close contact.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributed the increase to normal seasonal activity, saying in a statement on Friday, “Respiratory-related diseases are more common in winter.” (iStock)
Another person can also become infected by touching contaminated objects or surfaces.
I am a spring virusCDC notes – In the US, HMPV mainly circulates from winter to spring.
“It's respiratory virus season, so it's mixed with influenza, COVID and RSV,” Siegel noted.
“It can be strong in young children, the elderly and people with low levels.”
Glanville pointed out that HMPV is similar to RSV in causing the same respiratory symptoms – sore throat, coughing or wheezing, fever and nosebleeds.
“HMPV produces cold-like symptoms in most adults, but it poses a high risk of bronchitis, pneumonia and death in infants, and has a high risk of severe disease in adults and people with weakened immune systems, ” he told Fox News Digital.
Frequent hand washing is one of the preventative measures recommended by the CDC. (iStock)
Samuel Scarpino, director of AI and life sciences and professor of health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, believes that the overall risk in the US is low.
“Most everyone will have had it at least once as a child,” he said. winter.”
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“Based on what I'm seeing, there's no question that the pandemic was started by HMPV, but we're all watching the situation in China very closely,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Right now, the US has problems major diseases of COVID, influenza, RSV and norovirus, and there is little HMPV circulating in the US”
Treatment and prevention
HMPV can be diagnosed with two different types of tests that detect the virus, according to the CDC.
The agency recommends that health professionals conduct virus testing in the winter and spring.
There is currently no vaccine treatment.
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“While there is an RSV vaccine, the HMPV vaccine has not been approved,” Glanville told Fox News Digital.
“Therefore, HMPV is currently treated with rest, fluids, NSAIDs, cold medicineand in some cases, inhalers and steroids.”
“While there is an RSV vaccine, the HMPV vaccine has not been approved,” an infectious disease expert told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
The CDC recommends the following prevention methods on its website.
– Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
– Avoid close contact with sick people
– Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze
– Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others when symptoms are present
– Stay home when you are sick
– Clean surfaces and common objects
For more articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
“People should make sure they are is vaccinated against COVIDinfluenza and RSV and that they take precautionary measures such as rapid testing and covering their face if they have symptoms,” Scarpino advised.
“We now have rapid tests available at the same time that test for influenza A, influenza B and COVID.”