What is the HMPV virus in China? Human metapneumovirus and its symptoms explained.

The human metapneumovirusThe virus, also known as HMPV, is reportedly on the rise in China, raising questions about what the disease is and whether it is a concern for those in the United States.

Chinese health officials have not confirmed that HMPV has caused hospitalizations in the country, and recent reports Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that growth can actually happen due to influenza A. But with less public awareness of HMPV in the US, concerns about a potential new pandemic have grown – although experts say there is no need for alarm.

“Pandemic concerns may ease” Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, The director of infection prevention and control at Children’s Medical Center Plano told CBS News 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 at risk of serious illness from the virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the length of the illness varies depending on the severity of the individual’s work, but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses.

Symptoms of HMPV

According to the CDC, symptoms associated with HMPV include:

• Cough
• Temperature
• Nasal congestion
• Shortness of breath

“Clinical symptoms of HMPV infection may progress to bronchitis or pneumonia and are similar to other viruses that cause upper and lower respiratory tract infections,” the CDC website states.

Is HMPV a new virus?

HMPV is not new. It was first discovered in 2001 and is part of the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus or RSVAccording to XNM.

Garcia Carreno said it had been in circulation earlier — decades or more than a century.

In the United States, HMPV usually circulates in the winter and lasts until spring or early spring, and can be transmitted 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 neither a new, mysterious disease nor responsible for as many cases as COVID or other infections this season. According to the latest data from the CDC, HMPV is less than 2% weekly positive tests for respiratory viruses. In comparison, flu accounted for about 19% and COVID just over 7% during the same week.

For a disease to be considered locally widespread, positive results must be above 10% within two weeks. At 1.9%, Garcia Carreno said it’s nowhere near the number of flu, COVID and RSV.

Researchers estimate that about 10% to 12% of respiratory illnesses in children are caused by HMPV, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

“Most cases are mild, but approximately 5% to 16% of children will 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 objects contaminated with the virus.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a human metapneumovirus vaccine compared to influenza, RSV and COVID, so we don’t have the advantage of boosting or strengthening our immune system to fight these viruses,” Garcia Carreno said. “But again, everything we’ve learned for COVID can be attributed to methane.”

To prevent illness, take similar precautions to other respiratory viruses, such as washing hands with soap and water and avoiding close contact with sick people.

“If someone is sick, avoid crowds so they don’t expose everyone, especially vulnerable people,” Garcia Carreno said. “If that person is sick and can’t avoid going where others are, try to use a mask, use cough and sneeze etiquette and wash hands well.”