EXPLAINED: What to know about HMPV, the virus causing an outbreak in China

China has reported a rise in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in its northern region in recent weeks, raising concerns on social media that there could be another outbreak like COVID-19.

Beijing has acknowledged the rise in HMPV cases and attributed it to the winter season, but the spike should not raise fears or worries about a bigger, more fatal, global health threat, according to international health experts.

“China’s reported levels of respiratory infections are within the usual range for the winter season,” Dr. Margaret Harris, spokeswoman for the World Health Organization (WHO), said on Tuesday.

“It is not a new virus.”

Other health experts agree.

“There’s no need to be panicky. But for those folks who are in higher-risk groups, this is a time to be careful, [to] be cautious,” William Schaffner, an infectious disease physician and a professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told the Scientific American on Monday. 

What is HMPV?

A common respiratory virus, HMPV is known to spike every winter and spring, health officials said.

The virus has circulated among humans for at least six decades, experts added.

Common symptoms include fever, cough, and nasal congestion. In severe cases, symptoms may result in bronchitis and pneumonia.

HMPV usually spreads among people through coughing, sneezing, shaking hands, or touching virus-laden objects.

After being exposed from the virus, a person usually falls ill within three to six days.

Young children, adults who are over 65 and those that have weakened immune systems are considered to have a higher risk for serious illness. 

Currently, there are no vaccines to treat HMPV. Doctors usually recommend fever or pain relievers for those sick with the virus.

Preventive steps include following basic hygiene measures such as washing hands with soap and water, according to the U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC also advised the public against touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

As of Tuesday, here were how various governments across Asia have responded to the HMPV situation.

MALAYSIA

Malaysian health officials said HMPV cases were not new and that they were monitoring the developments.

Last year, the country recorded 327 HMPV cases compared with 225 the previous year. 

“The increase in acute respiratory tract infections at the end and beginning of the year is a phenomenon that is fully expected, in line with the rise in respiratory infections that have also been reported in other countries, especially those with cold seasons such as China,” the health ministry said on Saturday.

INDONESIA

Indonesia has HMPV cases, all involving children, according to the health ministry on Monday, without specifying a figure.

“HMPV has been in Indonesia for a long time,” health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said in a statement on Monday.

Although the HMPV is not a deadly virus, he advised the public to maintain a healthy lifestyle and seek medical help if needed.

THAILAND

Thailand has no HMPV cases present, health minister Somsak Thepsuthin said on Tuesday.

But he said the ministry is ready to identify and respond to any cases should the virus be detected in the country. He urged the public to take preventive measures.

PHILIPPINES

Manila health officials said they were also monitoring the situation.

“Reliable sources currently do not support circulating posts on social media about an alleged international health concern. There is no confirmation from either the cited country or the [WHO],” the health department said on Jan. 3.

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh has not yet recorded any HMPV cases at present, news outlets quoted local health officials as saying.

But the virus has always been present in the country, public health expert Mushtuq Husain told news portal bdnews24.com.