The country is on watch over the presence of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China and India. Reminiscent of the spread of COVID-19, the government is vigilant over possible entry of the virus into the country through trade and international travel channels that remain operational.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HMPV can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in persons of all ages, specifically targeting young children, the elderly and those with weakened body immunity systems.
Allaying fears of HMPV’s presence in the country, the Ministry of Health, in a statement on January 7, 2025, noted that there is no surge of respiratory diseases in the country, urging Kenyans to remain cautious and observe basic public health practices.
“The national public health surveillance system is on high alert, and we are happy to confirm that currently, there is no reported increase in the expected number of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms in our health facilities,” MoH said.
“The Ministry remains committed to safeguarding the health and safety of all Kenyans. We request members of the public to remain vigilant, continue observing public health practices such as hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette as promoted through the Epuka Uchafu Afya Nyumbani initiative.”
History of HMPV
The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) was discovered in 2001 by Dutch virologists who were seeking an explanation for various individual respiratory infections that had occurred in recent decades, but which couldn’t be attributed to any known pathogen. HMPV is in the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
HPMV in China
According to experts as quoted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), China experienced a surge in HPMV cases during the winter due to the virus’ increased activity and ability to survive cold seasons. People spending most of their time indoors with windows and doors closed propels spread of the virus.
A health report by the Chinese CDC tracked till December 29, 2024, indicated a continuous upward trend in respiratory viral infections, including seasonal influenza, rhinovirus, RSV and human metapneumovirus in the final weeks of the year, particularly in northern provinces of China.
WHO, however, notes that from its monitoring of the region, there have been no unusual trends of the HMPV virus.
“The observed increase in respiratory pathogen detections is within the range expected for this time of year during the Northern Hemisphere winter,” WHO said.
“WHO is in contact with Chinese health officials and has not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns. Chinese authorities report that the health care system is not overwhelmed and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered.”
Is there chance of a global pandemic?
While social media has played a role in fear-mongering, experts have stated that HMPV is not like Covid-19 and therefore, does not bear the threat of a pandemic. They note, that human metapneumovirus has been around for decades and some people may have pre-existing immunity to the virus.
“Whilst HMPV does mutate and change over time with new strains emerging, it is not a virus that we consider to have pandemic potential. This is because the changes in HMPV are gradual and based on previously circulating strains,” said Dr Andrew Catchpole, a virologist and chief scientific officer at hVIVO, a British research organisation that conducts human challenge trials of infectious and respiratory disease vaccines.
“Pandemics occur when a totally new virus enters the human population, like for COVID-19, or in the case of influenza, when a totally new variant of the virus enters the human population by combination [of a human and animal] version of the virus from what is known as the animal reservoir. There is no such animal reservoir of related viruses known for HMPV.”
Symptoms
Symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. Clinical symptoms of HMPV infection may progress to bronchitis or pneumonia and are similar to other viruses that cause upper and lower respiratory infections. The estimated incubation period is 3 to 6 days, and the median duration of illness can vary depending upon severity but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses.
How it spreads
HMPV is most likely spread from an infected person to others through
- secretions from coughing and sneezing
- close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- touching objects or surfaces that have the viruses on them then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes
In the U.S., HMPV circulates in distinct annual seasons. HMPV circulation begins in winter and lasts until or through spring.
Surveillance and Seasonality
Surveillance data from CDC’s the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) shows HMPV to be most active during late winter and spring in temperate climates. HMPV, RSV, and influenza can circulate simultaneously during the respiratory virus season.
Prevention
Your patients can help prevent the spread of HMPV and other respiratory viruses by following these steps:
- Wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Patients who have cold-like symptoms should
- cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- wash their hands frequently and correctly (with soap and water for at least 20 seconds)
- avoid sharing their cups and eating utensils with others
- refrain from kissing others
- stay at home when they are sick
In addition, cleaning possible contaminated surfaces (such as doorknobs and shared toys) may potentially help stop the spread of HMPV.
Testing and diagnosis
Since HMPV is a recently recognized respiratory virus, healthcare professionals may not routinely consider or test for HMPV. However, healthcare professionals should consider HMPV testing during winter and spring, especially when HMPV is commonly circulating.
Infection with HMPV can be confirmed usually by
- 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.
Treatment
Currently, there is no specific antiviral therapy to treat HMPV and no vaccine to prevent HMPV. Medical care is supportive.
