HMPV in 2025: What’s New About the Human Metapneumovirus?

January 2025 | Reading time: 4 minutes

Fears and false information have been spread on social media because of reports of a lung disease called human metapneumovirus (HMPV) spreading in China. Some posts said that this was a new virus and that China had declared a state of emergency because of a lot of cases of hPMV, Influenza A, pneumonia, and COVID-19.

What Is HMPV?

HMPV is one of the viruses that causes the common cold (also called an upper respiratory illness). Most of the time, it doesn’t make people very sick, but sometimes it does. Along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), this virus is in the Pneumoviridae family. It was first found in 2001, but people have been getting it for many decades. It can be found all over the world.

Is HMPV in the UK?

The virus has been around for a long time in the UK and other places, even though China is seeing a spike. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been keeping track of cases for a long time. This time of year is usually a busy time for them. Most of the time, infections are weak and cause symptoms like a cold. Some people who don’t have strong immune systems will get a more serious lung disease. They may wheeze and have trouble breathing, and some may need hospital care. Like the flu, it can put these people’s lives in danger.

Symptoms and Risks of HMPV Infections

Symptoms of HMPV

When someone has HMPV, they usually have cold or flu-like symptoms:

• fever and cough
• sore throat. nose that runs or gets stuffy.
• Pain in the body
• Headache.

Risks of HMPV Infections

Human metapneumovirus is a common virus that babies and kids younger than 5 years old get upper respiratory diseases. Anyone can get HMPV, but babies, older people, and people who have health problems like asthma, COPD, or the inability to fight off infections are more likely to get very sick. More care should be taken to keep people who are already at risk and healthcare workers from getting pneumonia.

How HMPV Spreads & Prevention Measures?

Studies have shown that HMPV mostly spreads in warm areas in late winter and early spring, around the same time that seasonal flu and RSV do. It does, however, keep spreading at a low level and get some people sick all year long.

Preventing Measures for HMPV

Stopping HMPV infection is similar to stopping other respiratory illnesses. For example,

• In crowded or badly ventilated areas, wear a mask.
• As much as possible, make the air move better by doing things like opening a window.
• Regularly and fully wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth until you have cleaned your hands first.
• Also, a strong immune system can help you avoid getting sick. That can be helped by eating a balanced diet, working out daily, and getting enough sleep.
• If someone is sick, they can keep others from getting sick by staying home, covering their nose and mouth with a tissue or a bent elbow when they cough or sneeze, wearing a mask when they’re around other people, making sure there’s enough airflow, especially in public places. Washing their hands and surfaces they touch often.

Should You Be Concerned?

As they say, the rise in cases is not always a reason to be worried because HMPV is a very different kind of illness.  HMPV can definitely make people very sick, and a lot of cases can make it hard for hospitals to do their jobs. However, the situation in China now, with a lot of HMPV cases, is very different from the danger that SARS-CoV-2 caused during the COVID-19 pandemic.