Five years after the COVID-19 outbreak turned the world the wrong way up, China is experiencing a brand new outbreak. Shortly after 2025 started, information circulated of an an infection often called human metapneumovirus, a.ok.a HMPV.
Learn extra about HMPV, together with its signs, therapy, the way it spreads and extra, beneath.
What Is Human Metapneumovirus?
Human metapneumovirus was first found in 2001, based on the CDC. The incubation interval is estimated to be between 3 to six days, and the period of the sickness varies between sufferers.
HMPV Symptoms
The commonest signs related to HMPV are nasal congestion, cough, fever and shortness of breath, based on the CDC. In the U.S., the virus sometimes spreads between the winter and the spring seasons, the CDC indicated on its web site.
⚠️ BREAKING:
China 🇨🇳 Declares State of Emergency as Epidemic Overwhelms Hospitals and Crematoriums.
Multiple viruses, together with Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19, are spreading quickly throughout China. pic.twitter.com/GRV3XYgrYX
— SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19) (@COVID19_disease) January 1, 2025
How HMPV Spreads
The virus spreads by individual to individual contact if one particular person is contaminated. An individual can catch HMPV in the event that they shake arms with or contact an contaminated particular person or touching surfaces with the virus on them.
Is HMPV the Same as COVID?
HMPV can result in higher respiratory diseases, together with bronchitis or pneumonia. Both HMPV and COVID have comparable signs, akin to cough and nasal congestion. However, they don’t seem to be a part of the identical household of viruses. HMPV is attributable to a germ that’s a part of the identical group of viruses as RSV, measles and mumps, based on Cleveland Clinic.
COVID-19, nonetheless, is a part of the coronavirus household and was immediately attributable to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Coronaviruses are related to a few of the commonest colds that unfold yearly amongst people. This household of viruses is usually present in bats, cats and camels. However, the viruses solely reside in these animals; they don’t infect the animals.
COVID-19 additionally doesn’t unfold precisely the identical as HMPV. An individual can catch COVID by inhaling respiratory droplets from an contaminated particular person. Droplets can unfold within the air by respiration, speaking and even singing.
HMPV Treatment
There is not any recognized antiviral therapy nor a vaccine for HMPV. COVID-19 might be handled with antiviral medicines akin to Paxlovid, and a vaccine was launched in late 2020.