What Is HMPV? Check Symptoms, Prevention And More About The New Virus Outbreak In China

China is facing another viral outbreak, this time of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV). This comes five years after the COVID-19 pandemic first originated there, claiming lakhs of lives across the world. Media reports and social media posts from the country indicate a concerning situation.

As per an NDTV report citing social media posts, the virus is spreading rapidly around China. Some social media posts claimed that hospitals and crematoriums are overwhelmed.

Videos circulating on social media show overcrowded hospitals, with some posts claiming that China has declared a state of emergency. However, this information could not be independently verified.

"China Declares State of Emergency as Epidemic Overwhelms Hospitals and Crematoriums. Multiple viruses, including Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19, are spreading rapidly across China (sic)," wrote an X handle named ‘SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19)’.

According to news agency Reuters, China's disease control authority has announced the launch of a "monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin" in response to the rising cases of respiratory diseases during the winter.

This comes in the wake of cases of HMPV being detected in the country, with an upward trend of the disease in people under the age of 14 especially in the northern province.

Human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, belongs to the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US. The virus, discovered in 2001, affects people of all ages and results in upper and lower respiratory disease. HMPV most affects young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

The virus can spread from human to human through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, skin-to-skin contact, touching contaminated surfaces, and touching the nose, mouth, or eyes.

Symptoms of human metapneumovirus include cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. In severe cases, symptoms can include bronchitis or pneumonia, as per the CDC.

"The estimated incubation period is 3–6 days, and the median duration of illness can vary depending upon severity but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses," the CDC said in a blog.

At present, the organisation says there is no specific cure for HMPV. There is no antiviral therapy to treat it or a vaccine to prevent it. However, one can prevent the virus from spreading through hygiene measures like regularly washing hands, avoiding contact with eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and steering clear of close contact with the virus-infected patients.