Respiratory Virus HMPV Surges Globally, Raising Concerns After China Spike
A flu-like viral disease, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is seeing a significant surge globally, particularly among children in China, prompting health concerns and raising questions about its potential spread, Al Jazeera reports.
The rise in cases comes five years after the COVID-19 pandemic originated in China, drawing global attention. While both Beijing and the World Health Organization (WHO) have attempted to downplay the severity of the outbreak, the uptick in respiratory illnesses is being closely monitored.
HMPV, a common respiratory virus identified in 2001, typically peaks in late winter and spring, causing symptoms similar to a cold or the flu. It is easily transmitted through respiratory droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, or close contact with contaminated surfaces, similar to other respiratory viruses like COVID-19. While nearly every child is infected by the age of five, the recent increase in cases, particularly in China, has triggered health alerts.
China, Beyond See Uptick in Cases
In northern China, HMPV cases have been on the rise among children aged 14 and under, coinciding with the cold winter months, which generally sees an increase in respiratory illnesses. China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration is piloting a monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin in response to the surge.
HMPV is not limited to China; India and the United Kingdom have also reported seasonal increases in cases since late 2024. India has confirmed seven cases across several states, prompting the government to boost surveillance for respiratory illnesses and advise citizens not to panic, but to practice good hygiene. In the UK, about 4.5 percent of lab samples tested positive for HMPV in late December, marking a slight increase from the previous week. However, precise global data on the virus remains scarce due to less robust surveillance and reporting compared to the flu or COVID-19.
Is HMPV Dangerous?
While the virus spreads easily, WHO officials stress that it is not usually deadly for healthy individuals. According to WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris, HMPV is a “common virus that circulates in winter and spring,” with a “very, very low” mortality rate. Most people experience mild symptoms and recover fully within a week to ten days. However, the virus can lead to more severe complications like bronchitis or pneumonia in high-risk groups, including infants, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals.
Symptoms of HMPV, which appear three to six days after infection, include cough, fever, nasal congestion, wheezing, breathlessness, and sore throat.
Treatment, Prevention
Currently, there is no antiviral treatment or vaccine specifically designed for HMPV. Treatment is focused on managing symptoms, such as rest, hydration, and fever-reducing medications. More severe cases may require hospitalization and supportive care, such as oxygen therapy. Health experts urge people to maintain standard hygiene precautions, including frequent handwashing, and avoid close contact with sick individuals to minimize transmission.
