Rates of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) are high in China at the moment, but a spokesperson from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told Newsweek that the virus was not something that should worry Americans.
"CDC is aware of reported increases of HMPV in China and is in regular contact with international partners and monitoring reports of increased disease," the spokesperson said. "These reports are not currently a cause for concern in the U.S."
HMPV is a flu-like virus that causes symptoms such as cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose and shortness of breath, and it commonly peaks during winter and spring, contributing to higher rates of flu-like illness.
The CDC told Newsweek that its National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) was monitoring viral activity including HMPV in the U.S. and that any increase in HMPV cases would be rapidly detected by the CDC and reported to the public.
"Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) activity in the United States is now returning to patterns similar to trends observed during pre-pandemic years," said the spokesperson. "For the last week of December 2024, 1.4 percent of diagnostic test reports for HMPV submitted to NREVSS were positive."
Dr. Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), told Newsweek: "Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that spreads from person to person and from contaminated surfaces.
"It was discovered in 2001 and is in the same virus family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Similar to RSV, it commonly circulates in winter and spring in the U.S."
Hopkins said that the only way to distinguish HMPV from similar illnesses, such as flu, RSV, or other forms of the common cold, was through diagnostic testing, and that a broader use of this testing had led to more diagnosis of HMPV.
HMPV is most likely to cause severe illness among young children, elderly adults and people with weakened immune systems.
"It is not necessarily any more dangerous than RSV, COVID-19, or influenza, but it is a concern, as we do not currently have a vaccine or antiviral medications that are effective in treating HMPV," said Hopkins.
"Staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands with soap and water (and using hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available), avoiding crowded settings and wearing masks can all reduce the likelihood of HMPV infection."
The CDC spokesperson said that "everyone can help prevent the spread of HMPV and other respiratory viruses" but washing hands for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching eyes, noses and mouths with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with sick people.
The spokesperson said it was important that people with cold-like symptoms avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others, refrain from kissing others, and stay at home when sick.
"In addition, cleaning possible contaminated surfaces—such as doorknobs and shared toys—may help stop the spread of HMPV," the spokesperson said.
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