Why is HMPV in the news?

Cases have risen sharply in northern China, particularly among children, according to local authorities. The country’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) has warned people to take health and hygiene precautions, but has also pushed back against online claims about overwhelmed hospitals and fears of another Covid-like pandemic.

“Respiratory infections tend to peak in the winter season,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said on Friday.

“The illnesses appear to be less severe and spreading to a lesser extent compared to last year.”

The apparent rise in cases is likely due in part to new technologies making it easier to detect and identify HMPV, experts told the Guardian.

Plus, “I think we’re just more cautious about outbreaks now,” said Dr. Jacqueline Stephens, lecturer in public health at Flinders University in Australia. “Everyone is hypervigilant, and when you hear this term ‘human metapneumovirus,’ it sounds kind of scary.”

How serious is HMPV?

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

“There are a number of others… that are not reportable because they are very common and occur in many people. They make us feel terrible for a few days, but if we rest and recover for a few days, we feel better,” Stephens said.

Who is most at risk?

HMPV can cause more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia in the elderly, very young children, and people with weakened immune systems.

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

“The challenge is that there is not much we can do at the moment other than educate people that it is possible to reduce transmission. “There is no vaccine or antiviral drugs, although some vaccines are in development,” said Griffin.

How worried should we be?

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 previous infections, the experts said. Covid-19 was a new disease that had never infected humans before and was spreading at pandemic levels.

“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. “There is a good lesson to be learned from the pandemic to contain the spread, especially given that we have no vaccines or antivirals against HMPV.”

What should we do about it?

“For a few years (during Covid) we took good precautions to reduce the numbers, now we are doing less and are seeing a recovery,” Griffin said.

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

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