Five years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, a new threat looms over public health, particularly in northern China. A previously lesser known respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is spreading rapidly.
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), recently reported in China, is causing global concern, despite the lack of official confirmation of its spread. Indeed, the Chinese authorities are currently remaining discreet on the subject.
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A new respiratory virus is rampant in China
Reports from the Chinese Center for Disease Control, cited by local press, indicate a significant increase in the number of cases of flu-like illnesses over the past week. On the other hand, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) chief Atul Goyal said that “there is no reason to be alarmed over the increasing cases of HMPV virus in China.
First discovered in 2001, human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was found to be a new member of the vast Paramyxoviridae family. This viral family, known to cause respiratory infections, also includes well-known pathogens such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), responsible for severe bronchiolitis in infants, and measles virus, causing a highly contagious disease.
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What are the symptoms of HMPV?
Although it is more common and more dangerous in children and the elderly, this virus can affect people of any age. Its impact is greater in patients whose immune systems are fragile and who suffer from chronic respiratory diseases.
Additionally, the most common symptoms of HMPV are very similar to those of a cold or flu. We mainly find cough, fever, runny nose and a feeling of fatigue. On the other hand, this infection can progress, in children and the elderly, to a more severe form causing breathing difficulties.
In some cases, HMPV can cause serious complications, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Transmission of this new virus occurs mainly through droplets released when coughing or sneezing. Direct contact with contaminated surfaces and direct interactions with contaminated people are also part of the transmission routes of this virus.
What to remember:
- Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is spreading rapidly in China, causing global concern;
- HMPV mainly affects children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems;
- HMPV causes symptoms similar to a cold or flu, but can progress to serious complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia;
- The virus is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets, direct contact with contaminated surfaces, or interactions with infected people.
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