Five years after the COVID-19 lockdowns, a new virus is now sparking concerns worldwide. Human metapneumovirus, commonly known as HMPV, appeared in China in mid-December, but has since also been found in other countries. The World Health Organization stated that HMPV has been circulating since 2001, spreads like a common cold virus, and rarely makes people very sick. In addition, Jagat Prakash Nadda, the Union Minister of Health in India, declared that “the Health Ministry, the ICMR and the National Centre for Disease Control are keeping a close watch on the situation.”
HMPV attacks primarily children, or elderly people with chronic illnesses. Like most respiratory viruses, it causes a sore throat, stuffy nose, coughing, fever, body aches and headaches. In some cases, however, WHO says it can also develop into pneumonia or bronchitis, since it attacks the lungs.
But which countries will be affected the most in 2025? China has reported a significant number of people dealing with HMPV, and their hospitals are bracing for a potential surge in HMPV patients. Other Asian countries, like India, Malaysia and Hong Kong also diagnosed people with the virus.
In Canada and the United States, HMPV is the most frequent cause of children’s hospitalization. Recently the virus was also found in Mexico. As for Europe, HMPV cases have been found in the United Kingdom, Hungary, Romania, and the Netherlands, but there is no sign of an unusual rise.
There is no vaccine against the HMPV virus. For those with the virus, doctors suggest only rest, hydration and fever reduction.
