The virus has flu-like symptoms and is spreading across China. However, for now there are no signs that indicate that a new pandemic is at the door.
High levels of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections are being recorded in some regions of China, raising concerns reminiscent of other health crises that also began in China. But are there reasons to fear a new pandemic?
HMPV, a single-stranded RNA virus from the Pneumoviridae family, is not a new pathogen. Identified in 2001 in the Netherlands, it circulates in humans more than 50 years ago and most people are exposed to the virus around the age of five.
The main symptoms are similar to those of the cold and flu, including fever, cough, sore throat and headaches. Although it is generally mild, it can lead to serious complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in young children and vulnerable populations. It is estimated that the virus is responsible for around 10% of hospitalizations for lower respiratory tract infections worldwide, says the .
“It can certainly cause serious illness, so I think it’s important that people know it’s out there,” explains Professor Paul Griffin, director of infectious diseases at Mater Health Services in Brisbane, to . “The challenge is that right now there is not much we can do except educate people to reduce transmission. There is no vaccine or antiviralsalthough there are some vaccines in development”, he adds.
The recent increase in the number of cases has placed HMPV as the second leading cause of respiratory infections in children in China, behind influenza but ahead of COVID-19 and other common pathogens. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention attributes the increase to seasonal factors and better disease surveillance.
The apparent increase in cases is likely due in part to new technology that more easily detects and identifies HMPV, adopted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be revealing previously undetected cases.
China’s commitment to increasing transparency and timely sharing of epidemiological and genomic data has been highlighted as crucial by health experts around the world. This openness is essential to confirm that HMPV is the main cause of the outbreak and ensure that there are no worrying mutations.
Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious disease specialist at the Australian National University, emphasizes that the outbreak represents probably a seasonal peak and not a new pandemic threat. “Like many respiratory viruses, HMPV has seasonal peaks, typically in late winter and early spring. This may simply be a bad season exacerbated by viral and behavioral factors,” Senanayake explained.
While the situation continues to be a challenge for China’s healthcare system, it is not expected to turn into a global emergency. Experts emphasize that maintaining robust disease surveillance will be critical to managing the outbreak effectively and mitigating any potential risks.
