The
year
2025
has
just
started
but
the
whole
world
is
bracing
itself
following
the
outbreak
of
a
new
infection
known
as
human
metapneumovirus(HMPV).
China
has
already
recorded
a
high
number
of
people
affected
by
this
virus
which
is
said
to
be
deadlier
than
the
coronavirus
which
hit
the
world
in
2019.
The
surge
in
HMPV
cases
has
primarily
impacted
children
under
14
in
China’s
northern
provinces.
Health
officials
have
expressed
concern
over
the
rapid
spread
of
this
virus,
which
often
leads
to
respiratory
illnesses
similar
to
the
flu.
What
is
Human
Metapneumovirus(HMPV)?
Human
metapneumovirus
is
a
negative-sense
single-stranded
RNA
virus
of
the
family
Pneumoviridae
and
is
closely
related
to
the
Avian
metapneumovirus
subgroup
C.
It
was
isolated
for
the
first
time
in
2001
in
the
Netherlands
by
using
the
RAP-PCR
technique
for
the
identification
of
unknown
viruses
growing
in
cultured
cells.
What
are
the
causes
of
HMPV?
Human
metapneumovirus
(HMPV)
is
a
respiratory
virus
that
spreads
through
close
contact
with
an
infected
person
or
by
touching
contaminated
surfaces:
Droplets:
Breathing
in
droplets
from
an
infected
person’s
cough,
sneeze,
or
breath
Contact:
Touching
an
infected
person
or
touching
a
surface
they’ve
touched,
like
a
toy,
doorknob,
or
tissue
Saliva
or
mucus:
Direct
contact
with
saliva
or
mucus
from
an
infected
person
What
are
HMPV
symptoms?
Symptoms
commonly
associated
with
HMPV,
as
noted
by
the
CDC,
include:
cough
and
runny
or
stuffy
nose,
fever,
sore
throat,
wheezing
or
shortness
of
breath
in
severe
cases.
In
some
cases,
the
infection
can
escalate
to
bronchitis,
pneumonia
or
asthma
exacerbations.
How
long
does
human
metapneumovirus
last?
Mild
cases
of
human
metapneumovirus
usually
last
a
few
days
to
a
week.
If
you’re
very
sick,
it’ll
probably
take
longer
to
feel
better.
You
might
also
have
lingering
symptoms,
like
a
cough,
that
take
longer
to
go
away.
Prevention
of
HMPV:
Good
hygiene
is
essential
to
prevent
the
spread
of
human
metapneumovirus
(HMPV)
and
other
respiratory
infections.
The
CDC
recommends
several
key
practices:
Handwashing:
Regularly
wash
hands
with
soap
and
water
for
at
least
20
seconds,
especially
after
coughing,
sneezing,
or
touching
potentially
contaminated
surfaces.
This
helps
remove
viruses
and
bacteria
that
can
cause
illness.
Sanitising:
If
soap
and
water
are
not
available,
use
a
hand
sanitiser
with
at
least
60%
alcohol
to
kill
germs
on
your
hands.
This
is
particularly
important
when
you’re
in
public
spaces
or
have
touched
surfaces
others
may
have
contaminated.
Cleaning:
Frequently
disinfect
surfaces
such
as
doorknobs,
light
switches,
countertops,
remote
controls,
and
mobile
phones.
These
areas
are
common
places
for
germs
to
spread,
especially
in
high-traffic
areas.
Isolation:
Stay
home
if
you’re
feeling
sick
to
prevent
infecting
others.
This
is
especially
important
for
those
who
are
vulnerable,
like
the
elderly,
young
children,
and
those
with
weakened
immune
systems,
who
are
more
susceptible
to
severe
illness.
Cough
etiquette:
Always
cover
your
mouth
and
nose
with
a
tissue,
or
use
your
elbow
to
prevent
respiratory
droplets
from
spreading
when
you
cough
or
sneeze.
Dispose
of
tissues
properly
and
wash
your
hands
immediately.
Avoid
close
contact:
Avoid
close
contact
with
anyone
showing
symptoms
of
illness.
This
includes
not
shaking
hands
and
maintaining
distance
in
social
or
crowded
settings.
Ventilation:
Make
sure
there
is
proper
ventilation
in
indoor
spaces
by
opening
windows
or
using
air
filtration
systems
to
reduce
airborne
particles
that
may
contain
the
virus.