Virus outbreak in China raises pandemic concerns: What you need to know about HMPV

An outbreak of a highly contagious virus in China has health officials on alert.

Cases of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, which can lead to respiratory disease, are reportedly on the rise in northern China, health officials in the country said. Children aged 14 and under are said to be the most affected.

Although not as well known as other viruses, HMPV is not new. This virus was first discovered in 2001 and is in the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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What can the epidemic accomplish?

Videos have emerged on social media showing overwhelmed hospitals in China, sparking fears of a possible pandemic.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the incident was caused by seasonal flu, in a statement on Friday, “Respiratory diseases tend to increase during the winter season … .”

The CDC said it is monitoring the virus through its National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS).

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“CDC is aware of the reported increase in HMPV in China and is in regular contact with international partners and is monitoring reports of increased disease,” a CDC spokesperson said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.

“These reports are not currently a cause for concern in the US, although some transmission of HMPV can be expected throughout the year, especially during the winter respiratory virus season.”

The virus was first discovered in 2001 and is in the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the CDC. (Stock)

The agency also said, “We would expect that existing surveillance programs would quickly detect any increase in HMPV cases in the US.”

“CDC will continue to monitor and provide important updates to the public.”

Influenza A is currently driving hospitalizations in China, according to the same source.

“There is no reason to feel that it has taken off and is becoming the next epidemic, but on the other hand, it is difficult to know the full story.”

Dr. Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and senior medical analyst for Fox News, noted that HMPV is usually mild, but can lead to pneumonia.

“There is no reason to think that it has taken over and is becoming the next pandemic, but on the other hand, it is difficult to know the full story because China may be withholding information,” he told Fox News Digital.

“CDC is aware of the reported increase in HMPV in China and is in regular contact with international partners and is monitoring reports of increased disease,” a CDC spokesperson said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital. (Stock)

Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, noted that most people are diagnosed with this disease when they are five years old.

“It’s a unique risk to children, but it’s not thought to have much epidemic potential,” he told Fox News Digital.

Symptoms and prevalence

Anyone can contract HMPV, but high-risk groups include young children, older adults and immunocompromised people, according to the CDC.

For many people, the symptoms of the virus are similar to the common cold – fever, nasal congestion and difficulty breathing, the health organization said.

In severe cases, HMPV can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia.

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Most people will begin to develop symptoms within three to six days of exposure, the CDC notes.

“Similar to RSV and the flu, it can be difficult for young children, the elderly, and people with underlying conditions such as asthma or COPD,” Scarpino said.

HPMV is usually transmitted from person to person through coughing, sneezing or close contact.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the gap is due to seasonal general surgery, in a statement on Friday, “Respiratory diseases tend to increase during the winter season.” (Stock)

Someone can also become infected by touching contaminated objects or surfaces.

A seasonal virus, the CDC noted — in the US, HMPV primarily circulates from winter to spring.

“It’s respiratory virus season, so it’s mixed with influenza, COVID and RSV,” Siegel noted.

“It can be worse for young children, the elderly, and people with underlying conditions.”

Glanville pointed out that HMPV is similar to RSV in terms of causing similar respiratory symptoms – sore throat, cough or wheezing, fever and runny nose.

“HMPV produces cold symptoms in most adults, but it poses a higher risk of bronchitis, pneumonia and death in infants, and it poses a higher risk of severe disease in older adults and people with weakened immune systems,” he told Fox News Digital. .

Regular hand washing is among the preventive measures recommended by the CDC. (Stock)

Samuel Scarpino, director of AI and health sciences and professor of health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, agrees that the general risk in the US is low.

“Most everyone will have it at least once in childhood,” he said. “In the US, it tends to peak later than the flu, but still in the winter months.”

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“Based on what I’m seeing, there’s no concern about an HMPV pandemic, but we’re all watching the situation in China very closely,” he told Fox News Digital.

“Right now, the US is dealing with major outbreaks of COVID, influenza, RSV and norovirus, and there is little HMPV spreading in the US”

Treatment and prevention

HMPV can be diagnosed with two different types of tests that detect the virus, according to the CDC.

The organization recommends that health professionals test for the virus in the winter and spring.

There is currently no vaccine treatment.

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“While there is an RSV vaccine, the HMPV vaccine is not yet approved,” Glanville told Fox News Digital.

“As such, HMPV is currently treated with rest, hydration, NSAIDs, cold medications, and in some cases, inhalers and steroids.”

“While there is an RSV vaccine, the HMPV vaccine is not yet approved,” an infectious disease expert told Fox News Digital. (Stock)

The CDC recommends the following prevention methods on its website.

– Wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

– Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands

– Avoid close contact with sick people

– Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze

– Avoid sharing cups and bowls with others when you have symptoms

– Stay home if you are sick

– Clean common areas and objects

For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

“People should make sure they are vaccinated against COVID, influenza and RSV and that they take precautions such as quick tests and wearing masks if they have symptoms,” Scarpino advised.

“Now we have rapid tests that detect influenza A, influenza B and COVID at the same time.”