Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has probably been infecting people for centuries.
Roger Harris/Science Photo Library
The past few days have been dominated by warning headlines warning that China will once again be overwhelmed by a mysterious new virus. But the virus, called human metapneumovirus (hMPV), which has been reported to be responsible for a surge in respiratory infections there, is in fact neither mysterious nor new, and Chinese authorities have dismissed claims that the country’s healthcare system is being overwhelmed.
What is a human metapneumovirus?
This is one of a variety of viruses known as cold viruses. This is because it infects the cells lining the respiratory tract, causing “common cold” symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, coughing and sneezing, which can last for several days. It is almost certain that you are infected with hMPV. Antibody studies have shown that almost all people become infected with hMPV before the age of five. As with the flu, people can become reinfected throughout their lives as their immunity weakens and new strains evolve.
How dangerous is hMPV?
For most people it causes only mild symptoms, but like other cold viruses, it can sometimes be more serious and fatal. Serious infections usually occur in people who are vulnerable for some reason, including very young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems or conditions such as asthma.
Worldwide, the virus is believed to have caused at least as many deaths. 11,000 children By comparison, another cold virus called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is estimated to kill 60,000 children worldwide each year.
How long has hMPV been spreading in people?
It has probably been spreading among humans for centuries. The virus was first discovered in 2001 in samples taken from Dutch children with respiratory infections. Since then, the virus has been discovered in samples stored since 1976, and antibodies to the virus have been found in: blood sample From the 1950s.
Where does it come from?
A closely related virus known as avian metapneumovirus cycle to birds The human metapneumovirus is thought to have evolved from one of these. However, since it is believed to have originated around 200 years ago, the situation with hMPV is very different from that of the COVID-19 virus, which only spread to humans in late 2019. Although hMPV is currently a human virus, infection is possible. Other animals including chimpanzees and gorillas.
What type of virus is it?
It belongs to a group called paramyxoviruses and consists of a single strand of genetic material in the form of RNA surrounded by a protein envelope. Other paramyxoviruses include measles and Nipah. The genome of hMPV is about 13,000 “letters” long and encodes only nine proteins. That said, hMPV, like many other respiratory viruses, has a relatively small and streamlined genome.
Is there a treatment or vaccine for hMPV?
There is no specific treatment or approved vaccine for hMPV infection. However, several potential vaccines are being developed. For example, in 2024, a team at the University of Oxford began testing. mRNA vaccine Designed to protect children against both hMPV and RSV.
Why are there so many cases in China?
It’s normal to experience cold and flu infections in the winter, and some years these waves are larger than others for reasons that aren’t well understood. Overall, more infections mean more severe cases and therefore more hospital admissions. “There is nothing to indicate anything abnormal. So far, it looks like common endemic seasonal monsters are doing what they do.” Written by Ian Mackay Australia’s University of Queensland pointed out that there were similar fears for 2023.
How do we know that another pandemic isn’t starting?
The COVID-19 virus is a new virus and people do not have immunity to it. This increases the likelihood of widespread and serious infections. In contrast, the hMPV variant spreading in China reportedly differs from other hMPV only in the following ways: very few mutationsThis means that most people, except young children, already have some level of immunity.
There have been claims that this new variant is more likely to cause serious infections, but even if this is true, it doesn’t mean it will cause another pandemic. In fact, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: said on January 3rd Respiratory infections “appear to be less severe and spread on a smaller scale compared to previous years”.
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