HUMAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS

Human metapneumovirus, also known as HMPV, is a type of common respiratory virus. The virus is a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus and belongs to the family Pneumoviridae along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

SPREAD

Transmission occurs by contact with contaminated secretions, via droplet, aerosol, or fomite vectors. Hospital-acquired infections with human metapneumovirus have been reported. HMPV has been shown to circulate during fall and winter months with alternating predominance of a single subtype each year.

PEOPLE AT RISK

While anyone can get HMPV, those at higher risk are:

Newborns
Children under 5 and people older than 65
People with asthma who use steroids and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Those with a weakened immune system due to conditions like cancer or HIV, or who've had an organ transplant

WHEN TO VISIT A DOCTOR

Your symptoms or your child’s symptoms don’t start to improve within a few days or fever lasting longer than three days.

High fever (over 103 degrees Fahrenheit /40 degrees Celsius).
Difficulty in breathing
Bluish skin, lips or nails (cyanosis).
Worsening of other health conditions.

SYMPTOMS

Generally, people infected with hMPV will have cold or flu-like symptoms:

cough
fever
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
body ache
headache.

It can make a few people quite sick, causing infection of the lung (pneumonia) or inflammation of the airways to the lungs (bronchiolitis, bronchitis).

Symptoms of more severe disease include wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, severe fatigue, dehydration, or a persistent fever that does not improve.

PREVENTION

Preventing hMPV infection is similar to preventing other respiratory illnesses with actions such as:

wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces
improving ventilation where possible (such as by opening a window for air flow)
cleaning hands regularly and thoroughly, with either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth without cleaning hands first.

DETECTION

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is the most reliable way to diagnose hMPV.

However, doctors may not suggest this test for people with cold or flu-like symptoms as there is no specific treatment for hMPV infection and in most cases, it causes mild disease.

2024-2025 OUTBREAK

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published data showing that respiratory infections had risen significantly in the week of 16 to 22 December 2024;human metapneumovirus was linked to 6.2 percent of positive respiratory illness tests and 5.4 percent of respiratory-illness hospitalizations in China, more than COVID-19, rhinovirus or adenovirus.