The spike comes as cases of the virus are surging in China, which has raised concern over the potential of another pandemic five years after COVID-19. On social media, images of hospitals filled with patients wearing face masks have spread.
But what is HMPV – and is likely we could be entering into another pandemic?
What is HMPV and what are the symptoms?
HMPV stands for Human metapneumovirus.
For those who test positive, symptoms are similar to that of a cold or flu, and include a runny nose, a cough, shortness of breath, a sore throat or, in some cases, a fever. In more serious cases, HMPV can cause pneumonia or exacerbate problems that people living with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience.
How does HMPV spread – and who is more susceptible to it?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), HMPV spreads in the same way as other colds, through respiratory particles. As well as being in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for the virus, HMPV can also spread via contaminated surfaces.
Like other viruses, HMPV tends to spread faster in the winter months. This is because viruses survive better in colder temperatures and because people spend more time inside with windows and doors – which can help spread air particles – closed.
HMPV is especially common among children. According to the Cleveland Clinic, most people will have had HMPV before they turn five years old. Anyone can catch the virus, however, the elderly and people living with health conditions like COPD or immunosuppression are at higher risk of developing serious symptoms and illnesses.
How long has HMPV been in the UK – and how many cases are there?
HMPV was first identified in 2001 in the Netherlands before spreading to the UK, and has had a presence internationally since. Currently, the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) doesn’t publish the number of cases of HMPV in the UK, but the number of people testing positive for the virus has remained at a high level since December.
What have the experts said?
UKHSA has assured that the spike in the number of people testing positive for HMPV is in line with normal trends for this time of year, with the number of people in hospital with the virus at expected levels.
Despite this assurance, experts are calling for a greater monitoring of the rising cases in China. “HMPV is usually detected in the winter periods but it does seem that the rates of serious infection may be higher in China than what we would expect in a normal year,” Dr Andrew Catchpole, chief scientific officer at London-based research organisation hVIVO said.
“We need more information on the specific strain that is circulating to start to understand if this is the usual circulating strain or if the virus causing high infection rates in China has some differences.”
Dr Catchpole states that the risk HMPV poses to the public is low, because any new variant would closely resemble existing strains, which most humans have existing levels of immunity to.
NHS officials have provided guidance to the public to avoid catching the virus, which includes:
- Wear a face mask when you’re in a crowded public place
- Make sure to avoid crowds where possible if you are more susceptible to the virus, i.e. if you live with a respiratory condition like asthma or COPD
- Wash your hands regularly
- Dispose of used tissues securely
