A surge in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China has sparked concerns about another pandemic, just five years after the emergence of COVID-19.
HMPV is now one of the top four most common viral infections among hospital patients in China, with social media reports suggesting hospitals are overwhelmed with patients.
However, the situation in China is not too dissimilar to that in the UK, according to Prof Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group.
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Prof Pollard said: “The reports of respiratory infections in China in the past few days appear to be attributed to both influenza and this human metapneumovirus, which is rather similar to the situation in the UK this week.”
A surge in HMPV cases in China has sparked fears of a global outbreak -Credit:AFP via Getty Images
NHS data shows flu cases have surged in England recently, with the country facing what the NHS describes as a ‘tidal wave’ of COVID-19, flu, RSV and norovirus.
The latest data from the UK Health & Security Agency (UKHSA) shows HMPV cases are on the rise in the UK, but experts say there is currently no sign of ‘a serious global issue’.
What is HMPV – is it a new virus?
HMPV is a respiratory virus that causes mild cold and flu-like symptoms. In some cases, particularly in elderly or very young, HMPV can cause severe disease, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
HMPV was discovered in 2001 and belongs to the large group of viruses that cause common colds and flu-like diseases. HMPV is already in the UK, and experts say it is not a new virus.
Dr Andrew Catchpole, Chief Scientific Officer, hVIVO, told Science Media Centre: “In healthy adults, [HMPV] infection would be expected to cause common cold like symptoms indistinguishable from many other common-cold causing viruses and not normally serious.
“Hence most infections in the population will go undiagnosed as people with colds do not normally have tests to identify the specific pathogen.
“It has been one of numerous common cold viruses that circulate every winter season each year, so no, it is not a new virus.”
Are HMPV cases rising in the UK?
The latest UKHSA data shows there has been a rise in HMPV cases. The percentage of people testing positive for HMPV after visiting their GP with respiratory symptoms increased from 2.24% to 4.53% in December 2024.
Despite the spike, the UKHSA says HMPV is at a ‘medium’ level of activity and notes the current level is consistent with what typically occurs during the winter months.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Our surveillance systems in GP surgeries and hospitals indicate that levels are in line with what we would expect to see.
“Most people have had hMPV by the time they are five years old and catch it again throughout their lives.”
Experts also warn the rise in cases is not a cause for concern.
“We know that there has been a surge in infections [in China] which have coincided with high rates of influenza and COVID putting health systems under considerable strain, just as they are in many other countries at present, including the UK, where we are seeing high levels of flu and COVID along with Norovirus,” explains Dr Catchpole.
“We need more information on the specific strain that is circulating to start to understand if this is the usual circulating strains or if the virus causing high infection rates in China has some differences.
“Whilst hMPV does mutate and change over time with new strains emerging, it is not a virus that we consider to have pandemic potential.
“This is because the changes in hMPV are gradual and based on previously circulating strains. Pandemics occur when a totally new virus enters the human population, like for COVID-19.”
HMPV does not have ‘pandemic potential’, experts say -Credit:Getty Images
What are the symptoms of HMPV?
HMPV symptoms are similar to those of other common respiratory viruses, such as cold and flu. The incubation period of HMPV is three to six days. Its symptoms include:
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A cough
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Fever
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Nasal congestion
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Shortness of breath
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Fatigue
How can I get tested for HMPV?
HMPV can feel like a common cold and, in most cases, symptoms will go away on their own in around a week. Healthy people with mild symptoms are unlikely to need to see their GP.
Dr Catchpole says HMPV is not normally tested for unless a person is hospitalised with complications from the virus, so there is no HMPV diagnostic test available to buy like there is for COVID-19.
There are no vaccinations that protect against HMPV -Credit:Getty Images
How can I protect myself from HMPV?
“As with all respiratory viruses, you can help reduce infections being passed on through regular handwashing and catching coughs and sneezes in tissues and throwing them away,” explains Dr Watson.
“If you have symptoms such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable.
“There are many viruses in circulation at the moment, including flu – if you have symptoms of a respiratory illness and you need to go out, our advice continues to be that you should consider wearing a face mask.”