Scientists comment on cases of Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) reported in China.
Prof Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group; Ashall Professor of Infection and Immunity; Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, said:
“Human metapneumovirus virus is a common respiratory virus which was first identified almost a quarter of a century ago by Dutch scientists. The virus is known to cause a respiratory Illness in babies and in the elderly which can result in hospitalisation but in most other age groups it simply causes the symptoms of a cold. It is one of the many viruses which circulate in the winter and add to the winter pressures on the NHS. The reports of respiratory infections in China in the past few days appear to be attributed to both influenza and this human meta pneumovirus, which is rather similar to the situation in the UK this week. A vaccine for a similar virus, RSV, was launched by the NHS in 2024 and new vaccines are being developed which could protect against both RSV and human metapneumovirus in one jab.”
Prof John Tregoning, Professor in Vaccine Immunology, Imperial College London, said:
“HMPV (human metapneumovirus) is not a new virus, it was first isolated in 2001 but most likely has been circulating for much longer. It has very similar symptoms (in children at least) to RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). It is part of the cocktail of winter viruses that we are exposed to.
“As with all respiratory viruses, there will be a range of symptoms and severity. Risk factors will include age (either very young or very old) and underlying immunosuppression. Like other viruses it will transmit in coughs, sneezes and in droplets. Protecting yourself by being in well ventilated, covering your mouth when you cough, washing your hands will all help. It will present in the same way as flu, sars-cov-2, RSV, so the same advice applies for those affected – rest, take on fluids, try not to spread it to others. If you do feel very unwell go to your GP. As it is a virus, antibiotics won’t have any effect.”
Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, UEA, said:
“Human Metapneumovirus was first really linked to respiratory infections about 25 years ago, but it has been around a lot longer, at least 65 years (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5795268/). I supervised a PhD on the infection some years back where we looked particularly at coinfections with other respiratory pathogens.
“hPMV is a quite common respiratory infection that peaks in winter. Almost every child will have at least one infection with hMPV by their fifth birthday and we can expect to go onto to have multiple reinfections throughout life.
“hPMV typically causes cold-like symptoms that recover by themselves within 2 to 5 days. Just occasionally it can cause more severe disease in the elderly, the very young (under 2 years of age) or medically vulnerable. It is one of the leading viral causes of respiratory infections in children under 5 years. There is currently no vaccine and treatment if necessary is basically supportive.
“One of the issues involved in these types of infection is that they are being diagnosed more frequently as we move to molecular diagnostic panels, so it is not always easy to know whether year on year increases are due to actual increases or just because we are diagnosing a greater proportion of infections.
“In England we have seen a fairly marked increase in recent weeks (see here https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/respiratory-viruses/other-respiratory-viruses) – so far the peak % positivity is a little over what it was this time last year so no major difference to usual, unless infections positivity rates continue to increase in coming weeks.
“So overall, I don’t think there is currently any signs of a more serious global issue.”
Declared interests
Prof Sir Andrew Pollard: “Professor Pollard is chair of JCVI which provides independent scientific advice on vaccines to DHSC. The comment above is given as Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, not as JCVI chair.”
Prof John Tregoning: “None for HMPV. In general I do work with Sanofi on flu vaccines.”
Prof Paul Hunter: “No CoIs.”
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