HMPV is a respiratory virus that was discovered in 2001, being in the same virus family as the cold and is also related to a virus that affects birds. Scientists estimate that HMPV has been around for at least 60 years and that most children are infected with the virus by age 5. Although they develop some immunity, getting HMPV again could happen throughout their life. Due to its similar symptoms with other lung viruses, HMPV often remains undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as another illness, stopping any way to accurately determine the true effects of the virus on public health. In fact, HMPV is estimated to cause about 10% to 12% of pulmonary diseases in children.
HMPV spreads through small droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. The virus can be on surfaces for several hours, spreading it within schools, daycare centers, and other public places. Generally, it will cause mild cold like symptoms such as coughing, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath in most people. However, it can lead to worse diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis, or asthma in young children, older adults, and those with immune systems that are not working properly. The severe cases can require hospitalization, especially in those conditions that affect the lungs. In January 2025, about 5% of the hospitalized patients being tested for respiratory infections in the UK were diagnosed with HMPV, being one of the highest rates so far.
By late 2024, physicians were seeing a spike in cases of the HMPV virus in northern China, mainly in children. Some hospitals were reported to have been overcrowded, which increased the public's awareness of a rise in infections. Around the same time, HMPV outbreaks continued to surge in both the UK and US. This was not exactly unexpected as health chiefs pointed out HMPV numbers usually increase cyclically just like flu. The latest increase seemed to be enough to receive international reactions though. Positive results for the virus during the end of December 2024 went up to 1.94% in the US due to the monthly and consistent increase starting in November.
Doctors were quick to handle the cases to make sure that while the severe infections were treated fast, further spreading could be contained. The increase in the number of cases also called for more testing and awareness of HMPV's impact, which had been relatively lower compared to other common respiratory viruses.
There is no specific medicine or vaccine against HMPV infection, but the treatment is symptomatic, by rest, hydration, and prescribed over-the-counter fever reducers or decongestants. Serious cases may call for hospital assistance to provide additional oxygen or other supportive care. Respiratory support can be needed to some, especially young children and older adults, when a real difficulty is there with breathing. Precautions include frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick patients, covering coughs and sneezes, and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces. Since HMPV is not as known as the flu or COVID-19, most people don’t understand the risks or prevention measures, which needs the education of the public. In China the recent outbreak had resulted in a fast rise in hospitalization due to the HMPV, again emphasizing the need for awareness and protective measures.
In the future, efforts will be made towards developing vaccines or medicines to help prevent and treat HMPV. There’s a large set of options being studied for vaccination, including the mRNA vaccines Antiviral treatments that might reduce the severity of the infections are also being studied. Overall, the future control of HMPV spreading and the development of new preventive measures will have an important part in outbreak control and the protection of public health. Since respiratory infection can have serious effects for vulnerable people, public health experts claim that research and awareness have to continue to reduce the worldwide impacts of HMPV.
Works Cited
"Increase in Respiratory Infections in China." European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 8 Jan. 2025,
"Surging Number of HMPV Cases in China Are Triggering 'New Covid' Fears." The Advertiser, 10 Jan. 2025,
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/surging-number-of-hmpv-cases-in-china-are-triggering -new-covid-fears/news-story/30787a9a70901acb5e20c986d8943967.
"What Is HMPV? Virus Cases on the Rise in UK after China Outbreak." The Times, 28 Jan. 2025,
"What You Need to Know about HMPV as China Sees Rise in Cases." ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025, https://abcnews.go.com/Health/hmpv-china-sees-rise-cases/story?id=117377399.
"Rising HMPV Cases in China Are 'What We Would Expect to See,' Experts Say." CNN, 7 Jan. 2025,
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