A respiratory disease known as HMPV has been spreading rapidly among Chinese citizens, particularly in northern China, targeting mainly children under 14. While there is a surge in reported infected cases, the situation is significantly different from the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago.
Despite not being a well-known virus, the HMPV, or the human metapneumovirus, is not a new pathogen. The virus was first discovered in 2001, and based on research done, it has been among humans for at least the past 60 years. Any person can get infected with the virus, but it mostly affects children, older adults, and immunocompromised patients, such as those with an HIV or cancer diagnosis. The virus can be spread through droplets and aerosols from coughing and sneezing. Exposure to contaminated surfaces and objects and direct contact with the infected can also result in contracting the virus.
HMPV does not currently have any preventive method, such as vaccination, so it is important to follow basic hygiene to prevent catching HMPV. There is no treatment or antiviral that particularly focuses on eliminating the virus; most treatments today focus on managing the symptoms. According to the World Health Organisation, while some people can be hospitalised, most infected can recover after a few days. The HMPV on its own is not a fatal virus, and in its most severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, which results in the infection and inflammation of the lungs, said Dr. Marc Siegel, professor of medicine at NYU.
Despite affecting children the most, people of all ages can get infected with HMPV, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Once you are infected with HMPV, you can expect the symptoms to appear in about six days. The symptoms are flu-like and include cough, fever, wheezing, and sore throat.
Is it pandemic potential?
In recent days fear has grown among people of a new Covid-like pandemic. The Australian Department of Health released a statement assuring people that, unlike Covid-19, the HMPV is not a new virus, and in this time of the year it is common that trends in respiratory diseases increase in the northern hemisphere and do not pose any international-level threats.
WHO also stated trends in respiratory diseases such as seasonal epidemic illnesses increase during the winter. This trend surge is not limited to HMPV and includes other illnesses like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The Chinese National Centre for Disease Control held a press conference on December 27, during which director Kan Biao acknowledged that the cases were rising among mostly children. The increase was mostly reported in northern regions of China, and other respiratory diseases such as influenza were also reported, he added. During the conference, the press also ensured that the number of hospitalised patients was lower than in previous years.
It is also expected that Chinese New Year celebrations will result in a rise in HMPV cases.
How can we protect ourselves?
For people living in areas where it is now experiencing a cold winter, it is necessary to take normal precautions, which typically include wearing masks and washing your hands regularly. Wearing a mask is especially important when you are in a poorly ventilated environment or amid a large crowd. It is also useful to cover coughs and sneezes with tissue and dispose of them regularly when available or cover them with bent elbows, as it is more efficient than just covering your mouth with your hand. WHO also advised people currently infected with the virus not to leave their house to stop the spread of the virus and put others at risk of infection. As the HMPV is nearly indistinguishable from the flu, it might also be necessary to get vaccinated against the flu and other respiratory diseases.
Written by Mohammad Amin
