What is HMPV? CDC 'monitoring' reports of spiking cases in China

(NEXSTAR) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are currently “monitoring” reports of increasing cases of human metapneumovirus in China’s northern provinces, even though rates of the infection in the U.S. remain near typical “pre-pandemic” levels, the agency said.

“CDC is aware of reported increases of HMPV in China and is in regular contact with international partners and monitoring reports of increased disease,” a spokesperson for the CDC told Nexstar in an emailed statement on Monday.

“These reports are not currently a cause for concern in the U.S.,” the spokesperson added.

The CDC’s actions come in response to China's government-run media confirming that positivity rates of HMPV are rising in children under the age of 14, despite respiratory illnesses being down overall since last year.

Human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is not a novel respiratory virus, having first been discovered in 2001 (though possibly present for several decades prior). HMPV is also relatively common, infecting “most” of the population before they reach the age of 5, according to Dr. Eileen Schneider, an epidemiologist with the CDC.

HMPV usually circulates during flu season (or slightly later), when it causes both upper and lower respiratory infections in patients. Symptoms are similar to the common cold, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and congestion, according to the CDC. For this reason, it is sometimes not detected or diagnosed as HMPV.

Like other respiratory infections, HMPV can be especially severe for the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and children under 5. Schneider, in 2016, cited research that indicated HMPV was associated with “approximately 20,000” annual hospitalizations among U.S. children. Infections can also lead to bronchitis or pneumonia, Schneider noted.

People with existing respiratory conditions like asthma or emphysema are also at risk of more severe symptoms, the American Lung Association warns.

Current data from the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS), which compiles case reports from labs around the U.S., currently indicates that 1.94% of submitted diagnostic PCR tests for HMPV were positive in the week ending on Dec. 28. This marks a very slight upward trend over recent months, but nothing concerning.

For comparison, rates of positive HMPV tests were more than four times higher (peaking at 8.11%) in the spring of 2024, and more than five times higher (peaking at 10.99%) in the spring of 2023.

Since there are currently no vaccines or treatment therapies for HMPV, prevention and preventing the spread of HMPV is especially important. The public is advised to wash hands often and avoid coming into contact with those infected with HMPV, if possible. Patients who have HMPV are also urged to refrain from coughing or sneezing openly, sharing utensils, or leaving home when sick, among other measures.

China, meanwhile, also announced that its National Disease Control and Prevention Administration will be launching a new system to verify and monitor any respiratory diseases of “unknown origin,” Reuters reported. The program was launched, in part, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the outlet.

Health officials with the CDC will continue to monitor HMPV activity in the United States.

“We can expect that existing surveillance systems will rapidly detect any increase in HMPV cases in the U.S.,” a CDC spokesperson said. “CDC will continue to monitor and provide important updates to the public.”

Topics

What We Know About HMPV, the Virus Spreading in China

While cases are climbing in China, the situation is very different from what it was when Covid-19 emerged five years ago, medical experts say. HMPV is common and decades old.
The New York Times - 6h
What you need to know about HMPV

Pictures from China, where cases of the virus are surging, have people worried on social media.
BBC News - 18h
India confirms first HMPV cases amid surge in China

India confirmed its first cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections in children, with a total of seven cases reported as of Tuesday. The cases were reported in Bengaluru, Nagpur, Tamil Nadu ...
The Hill - 5h
Trump’s Lawyers Seek to Block Special Counsel Report in Classified Documents Case

Both the Justice Department and the judge who oversaw the case were asked to stop the public release of the report.
The New York Times - 13h
Indian officials confirm first cases of HMPV, say "no reason to worry"

Officials in India have confirmed the country's first 7 cases of human metapneumovirus, which is reportedly surging in neighboring China.
CBS News - 13h
What to know about the HMPV virus reported in China

The human metapneumovirus is reportedly surging in China, but should Americans be concerned? Here's what to know about HMPV symptoms and more.
CBS News - 1d
What are Trump's plans for the Jan. 6 cases pending?

President-elect Donald Trump may intervene in the cases against those who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. CBS News' Olivia Rinaldi breaks down the latest.
CBS News - 1d
What is human metapneumovirus, are cases surging in China, and should we be worried?

Surging HMPV cases in northern China have prompted some online alarm but experts say the risk of another Covid-like pandemic is low. Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory disease that ...
The Guardian - 1d
Sick season is in full force. What the latest CDC figures show

Flu is taking off in the U.S., with 40 states reporting high or very high levels of flu-like illness last week
ABC News - 4d