HMPV: Should the world be worried?

A recent increase in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in northern China has caused concern. This comes five years after the world was alerted to the emergence of the Covid-19 virus in China, which turned into a global pandemic with seven million deaths reported.

Top Chinese health officials reportedly said the number of infections among people aged 14 and under in particular was increasing, but they denied claims that Chinese hospitals were being overwhelmed by the virus.

Cases of contamination have also been reported in India.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus was first identified in 2001, but experts believe it has likely been around for decades.

Typically, the symptoms of HMVP are similar to those of a cold or flu. They include cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. For some, the illness can be much more serious.

According to the CDC, the virus can cause upper and lower respiratory illnesses, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, in people of all ages, but it is most common in young children, the elderly, and people whose system The immune system is weakened as it is most observed.

The estimated incubation period is three to six days, and the median duration of illness can vary depending on severity, but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses.

The CDC says its surveillance data shows that the HMPV virus is most active in late winter and spring in temperate climates.

HMVP is most often spread from an infected person to others through secretions from coughs and sneezes.

It can also be spread through close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands, or touching objects or surfaces that have HMVP on them and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

HMVP normally spreads during the colder months, when people spend more time indoors.

A person can get HMVP a number of times. According to experts, the first time the virus is contracted is normally the most serious. Eventually, some degree of immunity develops and any subsequent exposure to HPV is likely to be less serious, provided the immune system remains strong and has not been weakened by other illnesses such as HIV or cancer.

This could explain why young children under the age of five, as well as people over the age of 65 with weakened immune systems or respiratory problems, are particularly vulnerable to a severe case of HMPV.

However, because the HMPV virus is believed to have been around for several decades, experts believe that substantial immunity has built up worldwide.

Photos and videos of people wearing masks in Chinese hospitals have appeared on social media. This has led to speculation that these establishments are overwhelmed.

Some local reports have compared these scenes to the initial Covid outbreak.

The head of infectious diseases at the China CDC, Kan Biao, said the country is likely to be hit by various respiratory infectious diseases in winter and spring.

He told a news conference that the number of HPV cases among people under the age of 14 “is showing an increasing trend.”

He added, however, that the total number of respiratory disease cases in 2024 would likely be lower than the previous year.

According to Professor Tulio de Oliveira, founding director of the Center for Epidemic Response and Innovation, HMPV is just one of four viruses currently causing a winter outbreak in China, the others being respiratory syncytial virus, Covid and the flu.

He explained that some pressure on Chinese hospitals was to be expected given the season and the circulation of these four viruses.

China announced Friday that it was piloting a surveillance system for pneumonia of unknown origin, with cases of certain respiratory illnesses expected to increase over the winter.

This situation contrasts with the low level of preparedness reached five years ago, when Covid first appeared.