Cases of the feared human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus with symptoms similar to those of the common cold, flu, and Covid-19, have been surging in China, prompting fears that another global pandemic is on the way.
Outbreaks of the virus have hit numerous regions of the country and, given that there’s no vaccine, people in China are being urged to wear masks.
But what is the virus and what are its symptoms? Here’s what you need to know.
What is Human metapneumovirus?
Humans, however, continue to become infected throughout their lifetimes since the illness only produces a minimal or ineffective immune response
According to respiratory virus surveillance systems run by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of HMPV increased this spring in America.
In the States, the most vulnerable populations for these infections – young children and the elderly – were dominant in hospital intensive-care units. Nearly 11 per cent of those tested were HMPV positive at its peak in mid-March, a figure that is roughly 36 per cent higher than the typical, pre-pandemic seasonal peak of seven per cent test positivity.
According to the American Lung Association, the majority of HMPV patients experience moderate upper respiratory symptoms resembling a cold. These may consist of a cough, congestion in the nose or runny nose, a sore throat, aches, and fever.
A brief illness brought on by the virus typically lasts two to five days and resolves on its own. Patients may choose to treat their condition using over-the-counter medications, like a decongestant.
However, in extreme circumstances, the virus might cause asthma attacks, wheezing, and breathing problems. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is encouraged to visit their doctor because they might require a stronger medication or a temporary inhaler.
HMPV is transmitted by intimate contact with an infected person or by touching contaminated objects or surfaces, just like other respiratory viruses.
Some patients have seen the virus lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
Have there been HMPV cases in the UK?
There have – though not quite on the scale of the breakouts in China.
HMPV is one of the illnesses monitored through the government’s weekly flu and Covid-19 reports.
A report covering samples sent to laboratories in England found that, in the final week of 2024 – between December 23 and 29 – 4.5 per cent of people had tested positive for HMPV, a slight increase on the previous week.
To put this figure into context, 29.5 per cent of lab-tested swabs were positive for influenza, while 2.5 per cent were positive for Covid-19.
How was Human metapneumovirus discovered?
The virus was identified by scientists in the Netherlands in 2001.
Scientists took 28 samples from children in the Netherlands who had respiratory infections that were not explained. Even though several became critically unwell and needed mechanical ventilation, no known infections were found in their blood.
The samples were cultivated in diverse cell types from dogs, chickens, and monkeys before being examined under an electron microscope. They observed something that appeared to share structural similarities with the paramyxoviridae family of viruses, which are known to cause respiratory illnesses like measles, mumps, and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
A detailed examination of the virus’s genome revealed a close relative in the form of the bird-infecting avian metapneumovirus. The novel pathogen was given the name human metapneumovirus. It probably evolved from birds to humans at some point, according to scientists.
