How dangerous is the virus spreading in China?

China recorded an increase in the number of HMPV virus infections, leading to hospital overload. The outbreak occurred five years after the world first discovered Covid-19, making many people worry about the prospect of another pandemic. However, recently, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Ms. Mao Ning, said this is a routine disease, usually peaking at this time of year.

What is HMPV?

Metapneumovirus (Human Metapneumovirus – HMPV) is a common respiratory virus, belonging to the pneumoviridae family – the same group as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

HMPV often causes symptoms similar to the common cold, focusing on the upper respiratory tract. Sometimes, it can enter the lower respiratory tract, causing pneumonia, making asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse. HMPV is more common in winter and early spring.

Dutch scientists discovered HMPV more than 20 years ago. However, recent studies show that it has been the source of respiratory infections worldwide over the past 50 years.

Researchers estimate that about 10% to 12% of respiratory illnesses in children are caused by HMPV. Most cases are mild, but about 5% to 16% of children will develop a lower respiratory tract infection such as pneumonia.

Despite their similarities, HMPV is not the same as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Both belong to the same Pneumovirus genus and can cause similar symptoms. The age most susceptible to severe illness from HMPV is from 6 to 12 months. Meanwhile, RSV is more likely to cause severe illness in infants under 6 months.

Symptoms and routes of infection

Symptoms of HMPV include: cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, rash.

HMPV is spread through the air as well as through close contact, when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus remains active on the surface of objects at room temperature, so touching the object also makes people sick.

The groups at highest risk of disease are people under 5 years old (especially premature babies), people over 65 years old and people with weakened immune systems (due to HIV, cancer or autoimmune diseases).

Sometimes HMPV causes serious complications and may require hospitalization. Complications include: bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma or COPD flare-ups, ear infections.

Diagnosis and treatment

Doctors diagnose HMPV based on symptoms and health history. Patients may be asked to have a sample taken from their nose. Sometimes, doctors also perform a bronchoscopy or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities in the lungs.

There are currently no antiviral drugs to treat HMPV. People can treat themselves symptomatically at home until they feel better.

If symptoms are severe, the person may need to be hospitalized. Here, they are intensively monitored and the disease is prevented from getting worse. Treatments at this stage include oxygen therapy (if the patient has difficulty breathing); intravenous fluids; corticosteroids (steroids that reduce inflammation and relieve some symptoms).

Antibiotics only treat bacteria. Because HMPV is a virus, antibiotics are not effective. Sometimes, patients with HMPV pneumonia also have a bacterial infection, called a secondary infection. At this time, the doctor prescribed antibiotics.

Prevention

A simple method to reduce the risk of HMPV infection is to wash your hands with soap, water or alcohol-based dry hand sanitizers. Everyone should cover their nose and mouth with their elbow when sneezing or coughing.

If you discover that you have flu-like symptoms, you can wear a mask and avoid contact with others.

Mild cases of HMPV usually last from a few days to a week. If the condition becomes severe, the patient may take more time to recover.

People infected with HMPV can still be treated at home by drinking plenty of water, using decongestants, and cough suppressants. However, do not give medication to children without consulting a pediatrician.

Patients need to go to the hospital immediately if they have symptoms: high fever (over 40 degrees Celsius); shortness of breath; purple skin, lips or fingernails.