News that northern China is seeing a surge of the respiratory illness called human metapneumovirus (HMPV), bringing an uptick in hospitalizations, is sparking a bit of anxious déjà vu on social media.
But Chinese authorities are pushing back against worried, COVID-like narratives, with a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson noting 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.”
“I think we’re just more cautious of outbreaks now,” Jacqueline Stephens, PhD, a senior lecturer in public health at Flinders University in Australia, told the Guardian. “Everyone is hypervigilant, and you hear this term human metapneumovirus and it sounds kind of scary.”
But HMPV is not new, and the U.S. has also seen spikes, which receded, most recently in spring of 2023.
HMPV is “probably much more common than we know,” Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, previously told Fortune.
“We are finding it more often because we are testing people for respiratory diseases post-COVID and RSV,” he says.
Human metapneumovirus is a leading cause of acute respiratory infection, according to the American Lung Association. As with RSV, most humans have been infected with HMPV by age 5. While the vast majority will fare fine at home, as many as 10% of pediatric hospitalizations are due to lower respiratory infections caused by the virus, according to the National Library of Medicine. A 2010 study found that it was the one of the most common viruses among 256 children hospitalized with respiratory ailments, second only to RSV.
When it comes to elderly adults, about 22 in every 10,000 are hospitalized with the virus each year—particularly seniors with cardiovascular disease, according to a 2013 article in the journal Viruses.
Symptoms are pretty much identical to other respiratory viruses, and testing is necessary to tell them apart. As with its relative, RSV, HMPV has the potential to hit harder for the young and the elderly, as well as for those with weakened immune systems.
Here’s what you need to know about the oft-undetected virus, known to spike each winter and spring.
What are the symptoms of HMPV?
Symptoms are similar to other respiratory viruses, according to the CDC, and include:
- cough
- fever
- nasal congestion
- shortness of breath
In severe cases, symptoms may eventually progress to bronchitis and pneumonia.
Where did HMPV come from?
It’s believed to have evolved from a virus in birds, and likely spilled over to humans about 200 years ago, according to a 2022 article in the medical journal Viruses.
How does HMPV spread?
The virus spreads from person to person in the way most respiratory viruses do, including:
- coughing and sneezing
- close personal contact like shaking hands
- touching objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes
It usually takes three to six days to fall ill with the virus after being exposed.
How do I know if I have HMPV?
Only a lab test can tell if you have the virus. In rare cases in which someone is hospitalized and suspected to have the virus, doctors might perform a bronchoscopy, during which a small, flexible camera collects fluid from the lungs, according to the American Lung Association.
Are there treatments for HMPV?
There currently aren’t treatments, nor are there vaccines. If you have human metapneumovirus, you’ll likely end up taking pain or fever relievers, resting, and staying hydrated. Your doctor may also recommend using a humidifier or taking a long, hot shower to ease sore throat and cough. In severe cases, hospitalized patients may require oxygen and fluids, according to Merck Manual, a popular reference for doctors and pharmacists.
How can I avoid HMPV?
Tips for avoiding the virus are the same you’d follow to steer clear of other respiratory pathogens like cold, flu, and COVID. They include:
- Stay away from sick people.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your face before washing your hands.
- Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, countertops, and light switches regularly.
If you’re sick, stay home if you can, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Cases have been surging in northern China, particularly among children, according to local authorities. The country’s center for disease control has warned people to take precautions with health and hygiene, but has also pushed back against online claims of overwhelmed hospitals and fears of another COVID-like pandemic.
Erin Prater contributed the original version of this article.
