BEIJING: Recent news reports and social media alerts have highlighted a potential outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. However, Chinese officials have yet to confirm these claims. Instead, data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) up to the last week of 2024 indicates a surge in various flu-like illnesses across the country.
The latest statistics reveal that influenza is the primary driver of the current outbreak, with 30.2 percent of tests returning positive—an increase of 6.2 percentage points from the previous week. Additionally, 17.7 percent of individuals hospitalized with severe respiratory illnesses tested positive for influenza. Despite this, HMPV is emerging as a significant concern, surpassing other respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, rhinovirus, and adenovirus. Specifically, HMPV accounts for 6.2 percent of positive respiratory illness tests and 5.4 percent of hospitalizations due to respiratory ailments in China.
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), first identified in 2001, causes flu-like symptoms in people of all ages, particularly affecting young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Belonging to the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), HMPV has gained recognition as a notable cause of respiratory illnesses, thanks to more extensive testing for specific viruses in individuals presenting with flu-like symptoms.
HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, close personal contact such as hugging or kissing, and by touching contaminated surfaces followed by contact with the mouth, nose, or eyes. In the United States, HMPV exhibits seasonal patterns similar to the flu, peaking in late winter and spring.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends several preventive measures to protect against HMPV:
Frequent Handwashing: Use soap and water regularly.
Avoid Face Touching: Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.
Limit Close Contact: Stay away from individuals who are sick.
Respiratory Etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Hygiene Practices: Do not share cups or cutlery, avoid kissing others, and stay home to recover if ill.
Symptoms of HMPV are similar to other flu-like diseases, including coughing, fever, and a runny or stuffy nose. In some cases, individuals may experience shortness of breath, which can escalate to bronchitis (inflammation of the airways) or pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs). The duration of the illness varies based on symptom severity but generally aligns with the typical flu course.
Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine available for HMPV. Management involves treating symptoms as one would with the flu and ensuring adequate rest to support the body’s recovery. While there is insufficient information from reliable sources to determine the full extent and severity of a potential HMPV outbreak in China, the existing circulation of the virus in populations within China, the U.S., and other regions suggests a higher level of herd immunity compared to a novel virus like COVID-19 during its initial emergence.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures to mitigate the spread of respiratory illnesses, including HMPV.
