Health experts have alleviated concerns about the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) as infections of the viral disease rise in northern China, according to Chinese state media.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning has warned the spread of respiratory infections is ‘less severe’ and on a ‘smaller scale’ compared to the previous year.
HMPV is a common virus that causes cold and flu-like symptoms. It was first isolated in 2001 and is from the same family to RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), one of the viruses that causes the ‘common cold’.
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According to Prof Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, it is one of many viruses which circulate in winter.
Prof Pollard told Science Media Centre: “The reports of respiratory infections in China in the past few days appear to be attributed to both influenza and this human meta pneumovirus, which is rather similar to the situation in the UK this week.”
NHS data reveals that flu cases surged in England over the Christmas period, with the country facing what the NHS describes as a ‘tidal wave’ of COVID-19, flu, RSV and norovirus.
But one expert says the rise in positive HMPV cases might not be a true reflection of how infections change year-on-year.
“One of the issues involved in these types of infection is that they are being diagnosed more frequently as we move to molecular diagnostic panels,” explains Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, UEA.
“It is not always easy to know whether year on year increases are due to actual increases or just because we are diagnosing a greater proportion of infections.
“In England we have seen a fairly marked increase in recent weeks – so far the peak % positivity is a little over what it was this time last year so no major difference to usual, unless infections positivity rates continue to increase in coming weeks.
“So overall, I don’t think there is currently any signs of a more serious global issue.”
Experts warn the surge in HMPV cases is very different to the COVID-19 pandemic -Credit:PA
One virologist has alleviated concerns that HMPV has the potential to become a pandemic as there has been prior exposure to the virus in the community.
“This is very different to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Professor Jill Carr, a Virologist in the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University.
“The virus was completely new in humans and arose from a spill-over from animals and spread to pandemic levels because there was no prior exposures or protective immunity in the community.
“HMPV can certainly make people very sick, and high case numbers are a threat to effective hospital services, but the current situation in China with high HMPV cases is very different to the threats initially posed by SARS-CoV-2 resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.”
How can we best protect ourselves from HMPV? Prof John Tregoning, Professor in Vaccine Immunology, Imperial College London says to stay in well-ventilated areas and and wash your hands.
HMPV is a common winter virus that causes cold and flu-like symptoms -Credit:Getty Images
“It is part of the cocktail of winter viruses that we are exposed to,” Prof Tregoning told Science Media Centre. “As with all respiratory viruses, there will be a range of symptoms and severity. Risk factors will include age (either very young or very old) and underlying immunosuppression.
“Like other viruses it will transmit in coughs, sneezes and in droplets. Protecting yourself by being in well ventilated, covering your mouth when you cough, washing your hands will all help.
“It will present in the same way as flu, sars-cov-2, RSV, so the same advice applies for those affected – rest, take on fluids, try not to spread it to others. If you do feel very unwell go to your GP. As it is a virus, antibiotics won’t have any effect.”