Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that started in China and has begun to spread into the United Kingdom. Many people are worried, as it is copying the beginning of Covid 19, a similar virus.
Children under the age of two are most susceptible to HMPV, and as the virus has spread, it has posed an issue to those with weakened immune systems.
Cases have begun to rise in China, considering the virus is most active during the colder seasons. It is also likely that if a person is infected, there is a chance they could be infected again with the virus, which is slightly higher than the chance they had to contract the virus in the first place.
HMPV causes and can sometimes lead to other viruses as well. It has been found that 10-12% of respiratory illness in children is caused by the virus. Many of these cases are mild, but a small percentage can develop a lower respiratory tract infection similar to pneumonia.
“I think that this virus is dangerous and the way it has spread from China to the United Kingdom this quickly is concerning. If it is copying the destructive path that Covid made, it needs to be a center of focus for those who can help it,” NHS freshman Mia Lourenco said.
HMPV is spread through coughing and sneezing as well as any other kind of airborne transmission. Any contact with openings in the face can also lead to infection from this disease. Touching or coming into contact with objects and surfaces that have been infected as well can spread the disease if not well sanitized.
Due to the fact HMPV has recently become a recognized respiratory virus, testing for it is not on the mind of healthcare professionals. There has been a lot of research and information collected in order to educate and inform healthcare professionals on how to search for the disease.
Because of the seasonal occurrence of the virus, information and data has been difficult to analyze because of the fluctuation in cases due to time of year and location across the continents.
“Studies show that in temperate regions, HMPV mainly spreads in late winter and spring, at the same time as other common respiratory viruses such as seasonal flu and RSV. However, it continues to spread at lower levels and makes some people sick all year around,” The World Health Organization said.
Some symptoms of HMPV are a cough and a dry and sore throat. Some experience a rash that covers their entire body, but it is only common within around 20% of cases. Many experience a high fever, upward of 102 degrees fahrenheit. Along with these symptoms there is an expected increase in sinus issues, and some contract a sinus infection from the virus.
“A lot of these symptoms are similar to an average flu or even a bad cold, so I think in order for a doctor to suspect HMPV, they would have to be experienced with the virus to do so. Or they’d just have to know the virus well enough to think to test for it,” Lourenco said.
Many hospitals in China have been overrun with patients infected by the virus, and photos of these hospitals have been circulating the internet, recently raising fear in many.
Many health professionals have pointed out that this virus has been around for quite some time and that there shouldn’t be so much fear, but it has begun to spread very quickly and is seemingly unpredictable.
“I think that oftentimes social media seems to carry small things out of control. Especially if it is scary photos, they can really make people lose their minds. If health professionals say it isn’t a big deal, it isn’t. Although the spread of the virus has been high, it isn’t that big of a deal at the moment, so there isn’t a need for such commotion,” NHS freshman Fiona Mackessy said.
In the United Kingdom, HMPV cases have been slowly rising since October 2024. As the cold weather hit, case numbers began to spike and haven’t fallen since. Experts say this could be an issue if the spike in cases remains. Even though the current spike is due to the weather, it might cause a permanent spread of the virus throughout adjacent countries.
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