Should Irish people be worrying about HMPV as cases surge in China?

As reports of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, continue to rise in China, the situation bears an eerie resemblance to the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago.

With the pandemic in the back of many people's minds, such reports of HMPV have caused some anxiety among people across the country who are questioning how this virus will, or already is, affecting Ireland.

Rest assured, although the situation surrounding the spread of the virus and its symptoms may seem similar to Covid-19, medical experts say that it is not a cause for major concern.

What is HMPV and what are the symptoms? 

HMPV is actually not a new virus, it was first identified in 2001 in The Netherlands.

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The virus commonly spreads during late winter and early spring and as such, unlike what we saw when Covid-19 first appeared, HMPV already spreads seasonally across Europe, including Ireland. 

It is a form of virus which leads to a mild upper respiratory tract infection, much like the common cold or flu.

It spreads through direct contact between people or when someone touches surfaces contaminated by the virus. 

For many people who have the virus, symptoms will be almost indistinguishable from the flu and should last roughly 2-5 days.

Some of the most predominant symptoms include a cough, fever and nasal congestion. 

Who are most vulnerable?

As is typically the case with the flu, very young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable to HMPV. 

Although people of all ages may develop complications from the virus, these groups are most susceptible to HMPV developing into bronchitis, bronchiolitis or pneumonia. 

It is worth noting that having a history of asthma, COPD or emphysema does not mean someone is more likely to contract the virus, but such diseases can make the symptoms more severe. The same can also be said for those with weakened immune symptoms such as people undergoing chemotherapy. 

According the American Lung Association, most children who contract the virus are age 5 and under. A small number of children (5-16%) may develop lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia. 

So should I be worried about the recent surges in China?

Overall, medical experts advise caution against the virus for vulnerable people, but the majority of us need not panic. 

The virus is so common that most people will have contracted it in childhood and may become infected several times throughout their life.

The spikes seen in China are likely connected to the low temperatures in recent weeks - conditions which experts believe the virus, like most cold viruses, thrive in. 

If people are concerned, the usual cold and flu precaution measures also apply to HMPV. This includes staying home if you are unwell and maintaining good hygiene practises like washing your hands and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing.