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As China grapples with athe reported outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), global health experts are raising concerns about its potential impact.
The contagious respiratory virus has sparked comparisons to COVID-19 due to its rapid spread and strain on healthcare systems. Here’s what we know so far about HMPV, its implications, and how South Africa is responding.
What is HMPV?
Human Metapneumovirus is a respiratory tract infection that was discovered in 2001 when it was first identified in the Netherlands. The virus is a member of the Pneumoviridae family, which includes RSV and viruses that cause illnesses like measles and mumps.
While it affects people of all ages, it is particularly prevalent among children, the elderly — just like Covid-19 – and immunocompromised individuals. Dr Cheryl Cohen, professor of epidemiology at the University of the Witwatersrand and head of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, emphasised that HMPV is not a new virus. “Everyone is reporting this as a mystery respiratory virus, but it really is not. This is a virus that we’ve known about for many years,” she explained in an interview with Newzroom Afrika.
She added: “This time of the year is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and China similar to the United States and other European regions, falls in the NH; and not surprisingly we’re seeing an increase in respiratory illnesses — as we would in South Africa in the winter season, which falls around June and July. And HMVP is not the only virus, in fact it’s one of the normal winter viruses that we see.”
Likewise, China’s Disease Control Center has reported high transmission rates, particularly in northern regions and among children aged 14 and younger. Symptoms include cough, congestion, shortness of breath, and fever, resembling illnesses like the flu and COVID-19. Severe cases can lead to complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Global response and concerns
Health authorities in China have reassured the public that the outbreak is seasonal and manageable, even as hospitals face capacity challenges. However, viral videos of crowded medical facilities have fueled public anxiety. Neighboring regions, including Hong Kong and Japan, are closely monitoring the situation.
Hong Kong authorities remain vigilant, especially as the city approaches mid-January’s cold and flu season. According to various reports, among them the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan has also reported a significant increase of Influenza A cases, with hundreds of cases reported so far (with reportedly over 211,000 cases recorded by late December 2024).
The spread of seasonal flu is said to be returning to the pattern from before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Norio Sugaya (Japan Times), a doctor and an expert on infectious diseases who formerly practiced at Keiyu Hospital in Yokohama.
Precautionary measures and treatment
Preventative measures include frequent handwashing, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and wearing masks in crowded spaces. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for HMPV. Symptom management involves hydration, rest, and over-the-counter medications, with medical attention recommended for severe cases.
South Africa’s stance
The South African government is closely monitoring the HMPV outbreak. Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale told TimesLIVE: “We’re closely monitoring the situation in China using our event-based surveillance and continually looking for updates on the situation. It is the normal respiratory season in China but with a later start than expected.”
Mohale reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm. Local health authorities are maintaining routine surveillance and will provide updates as necessary. “The department of health, working with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, will keep the public up to date when there are new developments,” he said.
Clearing misconceptions
Dr. Cohen clarified that HMPV is not unique to China or the current outbreak. “When we look back, we see that the virus has been around for a long, long time. It’s very different from a new virus like COVID-19,” she said.
According to Cohen, South Africa is unlikely to face significant risks from the current outbreak. “In terms of the risk factors, I don’t really think that this time around it represents a risk to South Africa,” she said, adding: “The World Health Organization has accessed it and found the level of respiratory illnesses in China actually to be within range. It’s not actually more than what they’ve seen in a typical winter season.”
Likewise, HMVP is expected to occur among other viruses in the winter season in South Africa, Cohen noted, adding that South Africa’s current summer season is not conducive to respiratory outbreaks.
HMVP fatality rate
While the virus is generally mild, Cohen said it can pose serious risks to vulnerable groups, “including children under six months, premature babies, the elderly, and individuals with underlying conditions like heart or lung disease. In severe cases, it can cause pneumonia or lung infections, requiring hospitalisation”. The same sentiments were echoed by China’s Centers for Disease Control, indicating that in susceptible people with underlying conditions, HMPV can even lead to death.
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