Recently, scenes of hospitals in China overwhelmed with masked people have sparked concerns about a new pandemic. Beijing has confirmed a surge in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), especially in children, attributing it to a seasonal spike. While HMPV has been around for decades, it’s not like Covid-19. Experts point out that nearly every child contracts the HMPV virus by the age of five, and it is not considered a major threat to public health.
HMPV causes a mild upper respiratory infection, similar to the flu, and is typically transmitted through direct contact or touching contaminated surfaces. The virus can cause symptoms such as cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Most people recover easily, but infants under two years old and those with weakened immune systems, like the elderly or cancer patients, are at higher risk of severe illness. In some cases, the infection can affect the lungs, leading to wheezing, breathlessness, and croup, requiring hospital care. A small percentage of immunocompromised individuals may face life-threatening complications.
HMPV is most active in late winter and spring, thriving in colder temperatures when people tend to stay indoors. This seasonal pattern is contributing to the rise in cases in northern China, where the weather is expected to remain cold until March. Other countries in the northern hemisphere, including the US and UK, have also reported an increase in HMPV cases since October.
Experts agree that fears of a Covid-19-like pandemic are exaggerated. Unlike Covid-19, HMPV is not a novel virus, and people globally have some immunity from previous infections. Experts stress the importance of basic precautions, such as wearing masks in crowded places, practicing good hand hygiene, and getting the flu vaccine, especially for those at higher risk of severe illness from the HMPV virus.
