After China, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, India, and UK Have HMPV Cases Reached US?

"In the US, HMPV circulates in distinct annual seasons. HMPV circulation begins in winter and lasts until or through spring," reads the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) statement. As per the surveillance data from CDC's National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) shows HMPV to be most active during later winters and spring in temperate climates.

HMPV Cases In US

The earliest case appeared in Rochester on January 1 2001, and the first case in Nashville appeared 7 weeks later, on February 19, 2001. As per the National Center for Biotechnology Information's 2004 study, most cases occur from January to April.

The data suggested that among children less than 5 years of age hospitalized with respiratory illness, HMPV is associated with a rate of community-acquired ARI similar to that of combined parainfluenza viruses, but substantially less than the ones associated with RSV. The study also found that HMPV-infected children were significantly older, the median age being 11.5 months, than RSV, whose median age was 7 months.

What Is HMPV?

As per CDC, HMPV, the human metapneumovirus can cause upper and lower respiratory disease and can be spread from person to person or through surfaces. It is part of the pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

As per the 2022 study titled Zoonotic Origins of Human Metapneumovirus: A Journey from Birds to Humans, the metapneumovirus are member of the family Pneumoviridae and have been identified earlier in birds, also known as the avian metapneumoviruses (AMPV). This is why HMPV and AMPV are closely related.

What are the symptoms of HMPV?

• Fever
• Coughing
• Nasal congestion
• Runny Nose
• Sore Throat
• Nausea and vomiting

Should We Be Concerned?

As per Dr Akanksha Dwivedi , HMPV is not a killer disease, it had been present around us since a long time. Thus, instead of fearing it, it is important that we look out for the symptoms and be aware of the preventive measures.

The following steps to maintain safety according to Dr Dwivedi:

Hand hygiene: Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Avoid touching your face: Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands to prevent the transfer of viruses.

Maintain distance: Keep a safe distance from individuals exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness.

Disinfect surfaces: Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Respiratory etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.

Can It Become A Pandemic?

"While recent surges in cases have been reported in countries like China and India, the virus typically causes mild illness in the general population. Health authorities are monitoring the situation closely, but there is no indication at this time that HMPV poses a pandemic threat comparable to COVID-19," points out Dr Dwivedi.

What is Happening in China?

As per reports, HMPV infection is growing at an exponential rate and as a result, there has been a burden on health facilities and crematories.

The Chinese health authorities have implemented a pilot system to combat this upsurge. This involves tracking cases of pneumonia with unknown origins. These efforts are launched by China's disease control agency to increase preparedness for respiratory outbreaks during the winter months.

Note: Dr. Akansha Dwivedi is a Senior Consultant at Homoeo Amigo.