Brits are being warned about a rise in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, a flu-like virus causing problems in China. The virus has surged in northern Chinese provinces, especially among children, and is now spreading in the UK.
HMPV usually causes symptoms like a cough, runny nose, sore throat, and fever, which clear up in about five days. However, in some cases, it can lead to bronchitis, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia, resulting in severe cough and shortness of breath.
Since HMPV cases were first detected in the UK in 2001, the virus has remained relatively low, with about four cases per week during winter. But recent data shows a ‘marked increase’, slightly higher than last year. Experts caution that the virus can stay in the body for days before symptoms appear, making it easy to spread without knowing.
To protect yourself, experts recommend simple measures like staying in well-ventilated areas, covering your mouth when coughing, and washing hands regularly. If you feel unwell, rest, stay hydrated, and avoid spreading the virus. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for HMPV yet, and antibiotics won’t help since it’s a virus.
Professor Jaya Dantas from Curtin University advises getting tested if symptoms appear, staying home, wearing masks in public, and protecting vulnerable groups like young children and the elderly. Professor Jonathan Ball notes that while HMPV can cause pneumonia in young children, severe cases are rare. Professor Paul Hunter explains that most children will have had HMPV by age five, with multiple reinfections likely throughout life.
Though concerning, experts believe the rise in cases is manageable with proper awareness and precautions.
