Stuti Mishra
Mon 6 January 2025
THE INDEPENDENT
What is HMPV? China steps up monitoring amid new virus outbreak
China is experiencing a surge in infections of a respiratory virus, leading to reports of overcrowded hospitals, new monitoring measures and public concerns about an outbreak.
The virus, identified as human metapneumovirus (HMPV), has seen cases spiking across northern Chinese provinces this winter, particularly among children.
The outbreak comes five years after the world was first alerted to the emergence of a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, which later turned into a global pandemic with seven million deaths reported.
Photos and videos of people wearing masks in hospitals in China emerged on social media platforms and local reports compared the scenes to the initial outbreak of Covid.
Health authorities are implementing new measures to monitor and manage the spread of pneumonia cases of unknown origin. Nonetheless, Beijing has downplayed the developments as an annual winter occurrence.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday: “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season.
“The diseases appear to be less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year,” she said.
What is HMPV? China steps up monitoring amid new virus outbreak
China is experiencing a surge in infections of a respiratory virus, leading to reports of overcrowded hospitals, new monitoring measures and public concerns about an outbreak.
The virus, identified as human metapneumovirus (HMPV), has seen cases spiking across northern Chinese provinces this winter, particularly among children.
The outbreak comes five years after the world was first alerted to the emergence of a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, which later turned into a global pandemic with seven million deaths reported.
Photos and videos of people wearing masks in hospitals in China emerged on social media platforms and local reports compared the scenes to the initial outbreak of Covid.
Health authorities are implementing new measures to monitor and manage the spread of pneumonia cases of unknown origin. Nonetheless, Beijing has downplayed the developments as an annual winter occurrence.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday: “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season.
“The diseases appear to be less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year,” she said.
What is HMPV?
Human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is a respiratory virus that causes symptoms similar to the common cold and influenza. While the illness is typically mild, it can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, particularly in infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
The virus is not new but has gained attention amid a surge in cases, particularly in children under 14 in northern China.
First identified in 2001, HMPV is a single-stranded RNA virus that spreads through respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces. Cases have been previously identified in various countries, including the United Kingdom.
Its symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and fatigue, with an incubation period of three to six days. Unlike Covid-19, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for HMPV; treatment primarily involves managing symptoms.
Rising cases of HMPV in China
The spike in cases coincides with colder weather and increased indoor activity, conditions that typically fuel the spread of respiratory viruses. Health officials emphasize that this surge is consistent with seasonal trends.
China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration recently reported an increase in respiratory infections, including HMPV, during the winter. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has not flagged the situation as a global health emergency, but the rise in cases has prompted authorities to bolster monitoring systems.
A pilot programme has been launched to track pneumonia of unknown origin, ensuring labs and health agencies report and manage cases more effectively, state broadcaster CCTV reported, quoting an administration official at a news conference.
Can HMPV virus spread to other countries?
Hong Kong has reported a few cases of HMPV. Neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Taiwan are keeping a close watch on the situation. Cambodia’s Communicable Disease Control Department has issued warnings about HMPV, noting its similarity to Covid-19 and influenza.
Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control has said the virus’s higher risks for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
In neighbouring India, officials said there is no need for panic as HMPV is “like any other respiratory virus”.
“There has been news doing the rounds about a metapneumovirus outbreak in China. Let me be very clear on that count. Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus which causes the common cold, and in the very old and the very young it could cause flu-like symptoms,” Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) official Dr Atul Goel said.
Reassuring citizens and tourists, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said: “I can assure you that the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners coming to China”, adding that “it is safe to travel in China”.
HMPV is all over TikTok – but is the virus something to worry about?
The spike in cases coincides with colder weather and increased indoor activity, conditions that typically fuel the spread of respiratory viruses. Health officials emphasize that this surge is consistent with seasonal trends.
China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration recently reported an increase in respiratory infections, including HMPV, during the winter. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has not flagged the situation as a global health emergency, but the rise in cases has prompted authorities to bolster monitoring systems.
A pilot programme has been launched to track pneumonia of unknown origin, ensuring labs and health agencies report and manage cases more effectively, state broadcaster CCTV reported, quoting an administration official at a news conference.
Can HMPV virus spread to other countries?
Hong Kong has reported a few cases of HMPV. Neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Taiwan are keeping a close watch on the situation. Cambodia’s Communicable Disease Control Department has issued warnings about HMPV, noting its similarity to Covid-19 and influenza.
Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control has said the virus’s higher risks for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
In neighbouring India, officials said there is no need for panic as HMPV is “like any other respiratory virus”.
“There has been news doing the rounds about a metapneumovirus outbreak in China. Let me be very clear on that count. Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus which causes the common cold, and in the very old and the very young it could cause flu-like symptoms,” Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) official Dr Atul Goel said.
Reassuring citizens and tourists, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said: “I can assure you that the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners coming to China”, adding that “it is safe to travel in China”.
HMPV is all over TikTok – but is the virus something to worry about?
Jennifer Savin
Mon 6 January 2025 at 8:04 am GMT-7·4-min read
COSMOPOLITAN
HMPV is all over TikTok: so, what is the virus? izusek - Getty Images
As much as we'd love to kick a new year off with a fresh slate and clean bill of health, sadly the reality is often very different: it seems like everyone is coming down with a cold or some virus or another right now. But there's one virus in particular, the Human Metapneumovirus, known as HMPV, which is garnering a lot of attention on socials and in the news – but what actually is HMPV, and is it really anything to worry about?
Eager to get ourselves educated on the symptoms of Human Metapneumovirus, which is reportedly on the rise in China, we asked Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor for her insights.
While videos of people wearing face masks in China are apparently going viral on some social platforms, causing some to worry that this could be the start of another wave of illnesses like the Covid-19 pandemic, government officials in Beijing have framed HMPV as nothing to be concerned about.
Mao Ning, foreign ministry spokesperson, said last week that "respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season" and that things actually appear to be "less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year".
Here's what you need to know about HMPV.
What is HMPV?
According to the expert GP, Dr Wylie explains HMPV as being a virus that causes respiratory infections, particularly in children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
"It is part of the same viral family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and was first identified in 2001, although it is thought to have been circulating in humans for many decades before that," she explains – meaning, this isn't a brand new illness. "HMPV is common worldwide, including in the UK, and tends to spread more frequently during the winter and early spring months, much like other respiratory viruses."
Carol Yepes - Getty Images
Is HMPV present in the UK right now?
Yes, says the GP – HMPV is present worldwide. According to the UK government's official national flu and COVID-19 surveillance report for the first week of 2025, the prevalence of the disease is "increasing slightly" in Great Britain right now. A comment in the report states: "hMPV positivity (laboratory surveillance) increased slightly to 4.5%."
It adds that the highest number of those tested and found to have the virus are children. "Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) positivity increased slightly to 4.5%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 10.0%."
What are the symptoms of HMPV?
According to Dr Wylie, the symptoms of HMPV infection "can range from mild to severe and often resemble a common cold or flu, and in more severe cases, particularly in young children or older individuals, it can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia".
HMPV symptoms to watch out for include:
Runny or blocked nose
Cough
Sore throat
Fever
Shortness of breath
These symptoms overlap with other illnesses such as covid-19 or the flu. If you want to rule coronavirus out, you could try taking an at-home test but there aren't any readily available tests for HMPV.
Yes, says the GP – HMPV is present worldwide. According to the UK government's official national flu and COVID-19 surveillance report for the first week of 2025, the prevalence of the disease is "increasing slightly" in Great Britain right now. A comment in the report states: "hMPV positivity (laboratory surveillance) increased slightly to 4.5%."
It adds that the highest number of those tested and found to have the virus are children. "Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) positivity increased slightly to 4.5%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 10.0%."
What are the symptoms of HMPV?
According to Dr Wylie, the symptoms of HMPV infection "can range from mild to severe and often resemble a common cold or flu, and in more severe cases, particularly in young children or older individuals, it can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia".
HMPV symptoms to watch out for include:
Runny or blocked nose
Cough
Sore throat
Fever
Shortness of breath
These symptoms overlap with other illnesses such as covid-19 or the flu. If you want to rule coronavirus out, you could try taking an at-home test but there aren't any readily available tests for HMPV.
What is the treatment for HMPV?
While there's no specific cure for HMPV, the GP says you can do all the usual things you would to relieve a cold or flu such as taking plenty of rest, trying over-the-counter medications for fever and/or pain and making sure you're drinking lots of fluids to try and flush your system.
"Severe cases may require hospitalisation for oxygen therapy or other supportive measures," Dr Wylie adds, and she explains that while it is possible to test for HMPV it's usually only done through specialised laboratory tests, using a swab taken from the nose or throat. "However, such tests are usually only done in hospital settings for severe or complicated cases, as the symptoms are generally managed without knowing the specific virus responsible."
Should we be worried about HMPV?
On the whole, no – but it's good to be aware of the symptoms and to chat with your own GP if you have any specific concerns. "HMPV is not usually a cause for major concern for healthy individuals, as most people recover fully with basic care," Dr Wylie notes. "However, it can be more serious for vulnerable groups, including very young children, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems. If someone experiences severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or high fever that doesn't improve, they should seek medical advice."
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