Fact Check: All About HMPV — Another ‘Outbreak’ On The Horizon Or ‘Unnecessary Panic’? 

Nearly five years after the Covid-19 pandemic, which claimed nearly seven million lives globally, unverified videos of overcrowded hospitals in China have stoked worry around HMPV infection. 

All about HMPV.

Source : Pixabay/Modified by Logically Facts

HMPV: The recent surge in respiratory disease cases caused by Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China has triggered public concern. Nearly five years after the Covid-19 pandemic, which claimed nearly seven million lives globally, unverified videos of overcrowded hospitals in China have circulated online. 

Some social media users described it as a “new disease,” while others shared old visuals, alleging that the Chinese government was withholding information about the virus.

Two HMPV cases were detected in India on January 6, 2025. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare clarified that the cases were detected through routine surveillance of respiratory viruses. The ministry confirmed there has been no abnormal increase in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) cases.

With growing attention on the virus, here’s a closer look at what HMPV is, when it was first discovered, and whether there is cause for concern.

What is HMPV?

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus from the Pneumoviridae family, closely related to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), an illness that targets the lungs and resembles a severe bout of the common cold. It primarily affects the respiratory tract, causing mild to severe illness.

Symptoms typically include cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat, and fatigue.

In some cases, HMPV can lead to serious complications such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia, especially in infants, young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. The virus spreads through close contact with infected individuals or by touching contaminated surfaces.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), HMPV infections tend to be seasonal, with peaks occurring in late winter and early spring.

A new disease ‘detected’ in China?

Despite claims to the contrary, HMPV is not a new virus. It was first identified in 2001 in patients in the Netherlands. However, serological studies suggest the virus may have circulated for nearly five decades.

Virologists have linked the recent cases in China to seasonal infections, dismissing suggestions of a new or more virulent strain.

Zheng Lishu, a researcher at the Institute of Viral Diseases at China’s CDC, told state news agency News CN that HMPV is not a new strain, but rather a common virus capable of causing acute respiratory infections.

The Indian government reiterated that HMPV is not a novel virus and has been circulating globally for some time. The health ministry noted that respiratory illnesses caused by HMPV have been reported in multiple countries, emphasising that the two cases detected in India had no travel history, contradicting claims that the outbreak in China is connected to these cases.

Dr Jacob John, an Indian virologist and a former professor at the Christian Medical College in the southern state of Tamil Nadu's Vellore, said that the virus has been present in India in the past, but the China outbreak may have propelled the health authorities to look specifically for cases.

“HMPV is a common respiratory virus, similar to the common cold, and present globally. The virus likely existed for years without being actively detected. It poses less concern than influenza. The focus on HMPV now stems from the attention on China,” Dr John explained.

What is the cure?

Dr Atul Goel, Director-General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, advised individuals with symptoms to avoid contact with others. "Use a distinct handkerchief or towel while coughing and sneezing, and take normal medicines that are required for cold and fever whenever it's there,” he said.

#HealthForAll

Update on #HMPV

.@ICMRDELHI Detects Two Cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka through routine surveillance

Surveillance System Robust, No Unusual Surge in ILI or SARI cases in the countryhttps://t.co/uXIgltmOdE

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 6, 2025

According to Cleveland Clinic, a medical center based in Cleveland, there aren’t any antiviral medications that treat HMPV. Management of the infection can relieve symptoms and promote recovery. Additionally, it mentions that most cases are mild and resolve on their own within a week or two, but severe cases, particularly in vulnerable groups like young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, may require medical attention.

Preventive measures include:

• Practise good hand hygiene.
• Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Encourage respiratory hygiene (covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing).

Online speculation comparing HMPV to the coronavirus has led to fears of “another pandemic,” but experts dismiss this as unwarranted.

“The only common factor is China. The coronavirus initially appeared in China, but HMPV is already widespread globally. It’s a common virus that causes typical cold symptoms like congestion, sore throat, and fatigue — nothing out of the ordinary. Only infants under one and older adults need to be cautious, as any respiratory infection can pose a greater risk for them,” Dr Jacob John explains.

Dr John added that the increase in respiratory infections and hospital visits in China is driven by multiple viruses circulating during the cold winter, not by a single pathogen. “This winter has been particularly harsh. When China experiences outbreaks, people worry. It’s the association with China that often fuels unnecessary panic.”

(For more information on HMPV, read CDC’s guidelines on detection and care against HMPV here.)

This report first appeared on logicallyfacts.com, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.