What is HMPV, the mysterious virus that China is struggling with?

Five years after COVID-19 emerged from China, another mysterious virus is turning heads.

Authorities in China are facing an outbreak of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in several parts of the country.

Authorities have asked citizens to wear face masks and wash hands frequently.

But what do we know about the HMPV? And what about the rising cases in China?

Let’s take a closer look:

What do we know?

According to China’s CDC website, the human metapneumovirus is an RNA virus.

It belongs to the Pneumoviridae, Metapneumovirus genus.

It was first found in 2001 by Dutch researchers studying samples of children with respiratory infections.

Studies have shown that the virus has existed for at least six decades.

It has spread all over the world as a common respiratory pathogen.

It is mainly spread in droplets – through coughing and sneezing.

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Transmission may also occur due to close contact with the infected people and exposure to contaminated environments.

The virus has an incubation period of three to five days.

The immune response induced by HMPV is too weak to stop repeated infections.

Though it can be found throughout the year, it is most detected in winter and spring, as per the CDC website.

The HMPV is most likely to infect children, the immunocompromised and the elderly.

It can manifest as symptoms of the common cold – including cough, fever, nasal congestion and wheezing.

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However, in severe cases it can also result in bronchitis and pneumonia.

As per Lung.org, doctors in sever cases can perform a bronchoscopy.

Here, small, flexible camera is inserted into the lung and a sample of fluid is removed to test for viruses.

HMPV can kill people who have underlying medical conditions.

A piece in Lancet Global Health in 2021 quoted data as showing that HMPV was responsible for the deaths of 1 per cent of children with acute lowest respiratory under age five.

There are no vaccines against HMPV.

Treatment is usually limited to easing symptoms.

According to Inkl.com, over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help.

So can decongestants to relieve nasal congestion.

Those with COPD, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis may get severe symptoms and might need medication to control wheezing and coughing.

In a recent interview with the state-backed National Business Daily, a respiratory expert at a Shanghai hospital warned the public against blindly using antiviral drugs to fight human metapneumovirus, for which there is no vaccine but whose symptoms resemble those of a cold.

What do we know?

The Star reported that China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration in has established protocols for laboratory reporting and case verification.

As per Financial Express, the CDC has issued a slew of recommendations including wearing masks in crowded places, keeping a social distance, frequently washing hands and avoiding crowded areas.

The department also advised maintaining good hygiene, ensuring proper ventilation of indoor spaces and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

China’s diseases control authority previously said that it was piloting a monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin.

The move to establish a dedicated system is aimed at helping authorities set up protocols to handle unknown pathogens, in contrast to the lower level of preparedness five years ago when the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 first emerged.

The National Disease Control and Prevention Administration will establish a procedure for laboratories to report and for disease control and prevention agencies to verify and handle cases, state broadcaster CCTV reported, quoting an administration official at a news conference.

China is likely to be affected by various respiratory infectious diseases in winter and spring, Kan Biao, another official, said at the news conference. He said without elaborating that the overall number of cases this year would be smaller than last year.

Recent cases detected include pathogens such as the rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus, with cases of the human metapneumovirus among people under the age of 14 showing an upward trend, especially in northern provinces.

“Data from Dec 16-22 indicates a rise in acute respiratory infections, including hMPV, particularly in northern provinces. Recent cases have predominantly involved individuals under 14 years of age,” Reuters reported.

With inputs from agencies