What is HMPV?
- A viral infection that can cause upper and lower respiratory disease
- Part of the pneumoviridae family, along with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- Discovered in 2001
Symptoms
- Cough
- Nasal congestion
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia
Transmission
- Spread from person to person through contact with respiratory secretions
- Can also be spread through surfaces that have come into contact with the virus
Incubation period
- 3-6 days
High-risk groups
- Younger children
- Adults 65 or older
Seasonality
- Circulates in winter and lasts through spring, similar to the flu
Treatment and prevention
- No specific treatment or vaccine available
- Medical care can be supportive, such as oxygen therapy if needed
- Prevention measures include:
- Practicing good hand hygiene
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
- Wearing a mask in crowded areas
- Getting the flu vaccine (although it does not protect against HMPV, it can help reduce the risk of co-infection)
Current situation
- Cases of HMPV have increased in China and the US, but health officials say the outbreak is not out of the ordinary and the risk of another COVID-19 pandemic remains low.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are monitoring the situation closely.