What is HMPV, are cases of human metapneumovirus increasing in China and should we be concerned? | Health

Why is HMPV making headlines?

Cases have been increasing in northern China, especially among children, according to local authorities. The country’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) has warned people to take health and hygiene precautions, but also pushed back against online claims that hospitals were overwhelmed and fears of another pandemic Covid type.

“Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Friday.

“Diseases appear less severe and are spreading on a smaller scale than in the previous year. »

The apparent increase in cases is likely due in part to new technology that more easily detects and identifies HMPV, experts told the Guardian.

Additionally, “I think we are now more cautious about outbreaks,” said Dr. Jacqueline Stephens, a senior lecturer in public health at Flinders University in Australia. “Everyone is hypervigilant, and you hear this term human metapneumovirus and it sounds pretty scary.”

How serious is HMPV and what are the symptoms?

HMPV symptoms are similar to those of a cold or flu, and it is one of several viruses often grouped under a broad definition of “cold,” Stephens said. It is not a notifiable disease like Covid-19 or the flu.

“There are a whole host of others… that don’t need to be reported because they’re very common and a lot of people get them. They make us feel bad for a few days, but if we rest and recover for a few days, we will get better,” Stephens said.

HMPV can cause more serious illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia in older adults, very young children, and immunocompromised people.

“It certainly can and does cause serious illness, which is why I think it’s important for people to know it exists,” said Professor Paul Griffin, director of infectious diseases at Mater Health Services in Brisbane.

“The challenge is that right now there’s not much we can do other than educate people that it’s possible to reduce transmission. There is no vaccine or antivirals, although some vaccines are in development,” Griffin said.

How concerned should we be about the virus?

HMPV is not like Covid-19, in that it has been around for several decades and there is some level of immunity in the global population from past infections, experts said. Covid-19 was a new disease that had never infected humans before, leading to pandemic spread.

“I don’t think we’re necessarily worried about a pandemic with this virus, but the increase in cases and the impact is significant,” Griffin said. “A good lesson can be learned (from the pandemic) to reduce the spread, especially since we have neither vaccines nor antivirals against HMPV. »

What should we do about it?

“For several years (during Covid) we took good precautions to keep the numbers down, now we’re doing less and we’re seeing a rebound,” Griffin said.

“I’m certainly not suggesting we go back to strict Covid restrictions, but staying home, practicing good coughing and sneezing etiquette and hand hygiene are so important during the winter season.”

Both experts also urged people not to go to work when they are sick, and Stephens suggested wearing a mask if you must go out into the community, to avoid further infecting others, especially those at higher risk.