HMPV outbreak in Northeast Asia (2024–present)
 | This article documents an outbreak. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (January 2025) |
| HMPV outbreak in Northeast Asia | |
|---|---|
| Disease | HMPV |
| Virus strain | Metapneumovirus |
| Location | Northeast Asia |
| First outbreak | Beijing, China |
| Index case | Shanghai |
| Arrival date | 16 December 2024 – present |
The HMPV outbreak is an ongoing surge in cases of the human metapneumovirus in 2024. It began when the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published data showing that respiratory infections of human metapneumovirus had risen significantly in the week of 16 to 22 December 2024.[1] As of 2006[update], hMPV had a worldwide distribution and had been identified on every continent.[2][dubious – discuss]
Epidemiology
[edit]In late 2024, human metapneumovirus was linked to 6.2 percent of positive respiratory illness tests and 5.4 percent of respiratory-illness hospitalizations in China, more than COVID-19, rhinovirus or adenovirus.[3][better source needed] Cases were reported in Hong Kong, with a lower growth rate than that of mainland China.[4][5] Cases were reported in Malaysia, with an increase of 102 cases from 225 cases in 2023 to 327 cases in 2024.[6][7] India confirmed its first cases of HMPV in Bengaluru on 6 January 2025. An 8-month-old boy and a 3-month-old girl were diagnosed after experiencing respiratory symptoms.[8]
Kan Biao, head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC)'s National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, announced that the rate of HMPV among children ages 14 and under was on the rise in China in late 2024.[9]
Chinese health officials stated that the surge was consistent with overall seasonal trends, and officials in Taiwan and India stated that the very young, old, and immunocompromised were the most at risk,[10][11] which is a known characteristic of HMPV.
In Pakistan, The National Institute of Health stated that HMPV had been reported in Pakistan since 2001, with 21 cases at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in 2015. In early January 2025, the Pakistani government was closely monitoring the situation in China, and called a meeting of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC).[12][13][14]
Disease
[edit]Signs and Symptoms
[edit]HMPV Symptoms are often similar to that of the common cold, including cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath and rash.[15]
Transmission
[edit]No conclusive studies have proven the true method of transmission, its likely through contract with contaminated secretions, via droplet, aerosol, or fomite vectors.
Cause
[edit]The genomic organisation of HMPV is similar to RSV.
Diagnosis
[edit]RT-PCR has been extensively used for pathogen detection, while this method is not appropriate for early HMPV diagnosis because of its low sensitivity. The RT-qPCR method has a higher sensitivity than the traditional RT-PCR, and requires less operation time and fewer equipment, thus RT-qPCR has been widely used for the timely molecular detection of HMPV.[16] The usage of bronchoscopy and chest X-rays are also prevalent.[17] It can also be diagnosed through direct detection of viral genome by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), and direct detection of viral antigens in respiratory secretions using immunofluorescence or enzyme immunoassay.[18]
Prevention
[edit]Moderna has conducted a clinical trial for a candidate modRNA vaccine against metapneumovirus. As of October 2019, the vaccine candidate has passed through phase I.[19]
Treatment
[edit]HMPV does not have a specific antiviral medication. Treatment primarily aims at managing symptoms and preventing complications.[20] Rest and hydration, over-the-counter medications to control body-aches and fevers are recommended for mild conditions, while some cases may require oxygen therapy and hospitalization.[20] Severe cases of hMPV as with individuals who are immunocompromised are treated with Ribavirin and IVIG.[21][22]
Prognosis and Risk factors
[edit]Most people recover from HMPV in about 7 to 10 days without any complications. However, certain groups face a higher risk of severe complications:
- Pneumonia: HMPV can cause viral pneumonia, requiring hospitalization and intensive care in severe cases.
- Bronchiolitis: Infants and young children often experience inflammation and blockage of airways, leading to difficulty breathing and wheezing.
- Exacerbation of Chronic Conditions: HMPV can worsen existing respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Secondary Bacterial Infections: These infections, such as bacterial pneumonia, may develop as complications due to a weakened immune system.
- Pregnancy Complications: Respiratory issues caused by HMPV during pregnancy can lead to maternal and foetal health risks.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ "China steps up monitoring of emerging respiratory diseases: Report". Hindustan Times.
- ^ Kahn, Jeffrey S. (July 2006). "Epidemiology of Human Metapneumovirus". Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 19 (3): 546–557. doi:10.1128/CMR.00014-06. ISSN 0893-8512. PMC 1539100. PMID 16847085.
- ^ Willmoth, Hatty (3 January 2025). "HMPV: China's New Virus Outbreak Explained". Newsweek.
- ^ Chan, Irene (30 December 2024). "HMPV levels remain low in Hong Kong amid mainland China outbreak". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ Taheri, Mandy (4 January 2025). "HMPV: China's neighbors respond amid virus outbreak". Newsweek. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ Azmi, Amalia (4 January 2025). "Malaysia recorded 327 hMPV cases in 2024, disease not new - Ministry". NST Online. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
- ^ "HMPV cases surge in Malaysia following China outbreak; Government issues advisory". The Economic Times Online. 5 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "HMPV in India: Two 3-month-old and 8-month-old babies detected with the virus, confirms government". The Times of India. 6 January 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ Dewan, Pandora (3 January 2025). "Viral disease HMPV is on the rise among kids in China — what is it?". Live Science.
- ^ "What is HMPV? China steps up emergency measures amid new virus outbreak". The Independent. 4 January 2025.
- ^ "'We are monitoring situation in China': Kerala health minister on HMPV fears". The Indian Express. 4 January 2025.
- ^ "HMPV virus, present in Pakistan since 2001, NIH confirms amid China outbreak". The Express Tribune. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ^ "New Chinese virus reaches Pakistan; officials stress vigilance". www.samaa.tv. 5 January 2025.
- ^ "HMPV not new to Pakistan, detected in 2001". The News International. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ^ "Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)". Cleveland Clinic. Archived from the original on 5 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ Feng, Yuan; He, Tao; Zhang, Bo; Yuan, Haibin; Zhou, Yinfei (7 March 2024). "Epidemiology and diagnosis technologies of human metapneumovirus in China: a mini review". Virology Journal. 21 (1): 59. doi:10.1186/s12985-024-02327-9. ISSN 1743-422X. PMC 10921660. PMID 38454484.
- ^ "Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)". Cleveland Clinic. Archived from the original on 5 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ CDC (9 August 2024). "About Human Metapneumovirus". Human Metapneumovirus. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "Trial Details". trials.modernatx.com. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ a b c "Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV): Treatment, Symptoms, And Effects On Children And Adults".
- ^ Kitanovski, Lidija; Kopriva, Silvester; Pokorn, Marko; Dolnicar, Majda B.; Rajic, Vladan; Stefanovic, Milica; Jazbec, Janez (October 2013). "Treatment of Severe Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) Pneumonia in an Immunocompromised Child With Oral Ribavirin and IVIG". Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. 35 (7): e311. doi:10.1097/MPH.0b013e3182915d2d. ISSN 1077-4114.
- ^ Shahda, S.; Carlos, W. G.; Kiel, P. J.; Khan, B. A.; Hage, C. A. (June 2011). "The human metapneumovirus: a case series and review of the literature". Transplant Infectious Disease: An Official Journal of the Transplantation Society. 13 (3): 324–328. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3062.2010.00575.x. ISSN 1399-3062. PMC 3107511. PMID 21631655.