The human metapneumovirus, also known as HMPV, is a respiratory virus that has been causing concern in China, with reports suggesting that cases may be on the rise again during the country’s winter season. The country’s centre for disease control (CDC) has urged people to maintain health and hygiene precautions, while also refuting online claims of overwhelmed hospitals and fears of another pandemic.
Meanwhile, UK health officials said the percentage of positive cases in the UK was at 2.42% in the week leading up to December 9. For the latest health news, sign up to our newsletter here.
According to the Mirror, the UK Health Security Agency said there was a slight upward trend in HMPV cases across the country with positive lab test results reaching 4.5% as of January 3, although the figure is believed to be higher. The agency said on Monday that data indicated cases were following its usual seasonal pattern in the UK.
READ MORE: Met Office says -15C coming and possibly four more days of snow
READ MORE: Woman lay dead in restaurant toilet for three days before being found
It must be noted, however, that health experts have reassured that HMPV is not like Covid, highlighting that the virus has been present for decades. Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Oxford University, said: “Human metapneumovirus virus is a common respiratory virus which was first identified almost a quarter of a century ago by Dutch scientists.”
The virus is known to cause a respiratory illness in babies and the elderly, potentially leading to hospitalisation. However, in most other age groups, it simply causes cold-like symptoms, according to Prof Pollard. He added: “It is one of the many viruses which circulate in the winter and add to the winter pressures on the NHS.”
The most common symptoms of HMPV include:
-
Common cold or flu-like symptoms (cough, runny nose or nasal congestion, fever and/or chills)
-
Asthma flare-ups
-
Sore throat
-
Wheezing
-
Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)
More severe symptoms include inflammation of the airways of the lungs and inflammation and congestion in the small airways of the lungs in young children and infants as well as pneumonia. The estimated incubation period for HMPV is between three and six days.
But there are other symptoms of the common cold that people should be aware of, according to the NHS. Cold symptoms typically come on gradually over two to three says and last between one to two weeks. Typical symptoms of a common cold include sneezing, blocked or runny nose, a sore throat, hoarse voice, cough and feeling tired or unwell.
They can also include:
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, told the Mirror: “HMPV is a common respiratory infection in winter, and we typically see activity reaching a peak at this time of year. Infections are usually mild, causing symptoms of a common cold. 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.
“As with all respiratory viruses, you can help reduce infections being passed on through regular hand washing and catching coughs and sneezes in tissues and throwing them away. 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.”