Editor’s note: This is an emerging story and will be updated.
A viral infection called human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is on the rise among children in China, according to Chinese state media.
The virus can cause upper respiratory infections – like the common cold – as well as serious lung infections and, according to state media, is now among the four most common viral infections among hospital visitors in China.
“HMPV has been recognized as a significant problem in the at-risk population worldwide since the turn of the century when it was first discovered,” Andrew Eastona professor of virology at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom who studies pneumoviruses, told Live Science in an email. “This risk has not changed significantly over the past nearly 25 years. »
That said, “it is always concerning to see a change in the incidence or pattern of an infection,” Easton added. It is important to investigate potential outbreaks of infection to identify the cause.
What is HMPV?
HMPV belongs to the same family of viruses as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)a seasonal virus that also causes colds and lung infections. HMPV was discovered in 2001 and, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) epidemiologist Eileen Schneider, the virus is associated with approximately 20,000 hospitalizations among children under 5 in the United States each year.
Common symptoms of infection include cough, fever, stuffy nose and shortness of breath. However, these can evolve towards bronchitis (inflammation of the air tube leading to the lungs) or pneumonia (where the air sacs of the lungs fill with fluid).
Young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable to severe symptoms, according to the CDC.
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Should other countries be concerned about HMPV in China?
“HMPV is a major concern, especially in very young infants during the first year of life,” Easton said. This is also true for RSV, as well as for seasonal fluor “the flu”. However, he added that the risk posed by HMPV has not changed significantly since its discovery in the early 2000s.
In a press release published on December 27, Kan Biaothe head of the National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention of China CDC announced that the rate of HMPV in children aged 14 and under is increasing in China, according to China Daily. This increase in cases was also reported by Reuters. However, the magnitude and cause of this increase are still unclear.
“It’s important to be able to detect changes in infection patterns and then identify potential causes,” Easton said. “[We must] assess whether it was a change in the behavior of infected people that led to increased exposure or whether it was a change in the virus that led to an increase in the number of infected people.
It is unlikely that mutations or genetic changes in the HMPV virus are causing the reported increase in infections, he said, but further testing of the virus’s genetic code is needed to rule out the possibility.
Separately, China Daily noted that the overall spread of respiratory infections in China this winter has been lower than in recent years.
Live Science reached out to Chinese officials and scientists for comment on the situation but had not received a response at the time of publication.
How can we protect ourselves from HMPV?
There is no vaccine available against HMPV. In addition, according to the American CDCthere is no specific antiviral treatment against the virus. Treatment for HMPV is more supportive, meaning it aims to reduce symptoms and keep vital signs stable.
According to the CDC, the duration of infection varies among individuals but is similar to other respiratory infections, including the common cold.
To prevent HMPV infections, individuals can take the same precautionary measures as for other respiratory viruses.
“HMPV is a respiratory infection that spreads in the same way as other respiratory viruses like influenza and COVID-19,” Easton said. “We can protect ourselves against HMPV in the same way as against these viruses. »
The CDC recommends the following:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze
- Stay home when you are sick
HMPV is one of the viral diseases that the US CDC constantly monitorsthus, any resurgence of infection would become apparent very quickly.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to offer medical advice.
