The 7 signs of ‘little-known virus’ on the rise in the UK – and 6 of the best ways to protect yourself
CASES of a virus that led to concerns in China of another Covid-like pandemic have risen in England, according to official figures.
The UK has seen an assortment of winter illnesses surge this winter, including flu, Covid, RSV and norovirus.
But another one quickly making a name for itself is human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
HMPV was detected in 4.9 per cent of hospital patients tested for respiratory infections in English hospitals in the week leading up to 19 January – above the highest rate of 4.18 per cent in January last year, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The figures were released amid fears in China after officials said cases were rising and images on social media showed hospitals packed with people wearing masks.
But HMPV is a virus that’s actually been around for decades and usually presents as a common cold.
Superdrug’s Pharmacy Superintendent Niamh McMillan explained: “HMPV is a respiratory virus which can cause symptoms similar to the common cold or flu.
“It is a highly contagious virus that primarily spreads through droplets in the air when someone coughs and sneezes.
“It can also be spread via surfaces touched by contaminated hands.”
While HMPV can affect people of all ages, those most at risk include young children, the elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems.
The symptoms of HMPV often resemble those of a cold or flu and typically appear three to six days after exposure.
Symptoms to be aware of, according to Niamh, are:
Niamh added: “In more severe cases, HMPV can lead to more severe health concerns such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia, with sufferers experiencing breathing difficulties, chest pain, dizziness, severe fatigue and shortness of breath.
“Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek urgent medical attention.”
Similar to other winter viruses, the best way to protect yourself and others from HMPV is by following basic hygiene practices and taking extra precautions during the colder months.
Niamh recommended the following tips:
Wash your hands frequently
Regular hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.
Avoid close contact with others
Stay home if you’re feeling sick and avoid close contact with people who are ill. This includes hugging, kissing or shaking hands with anyone who has respiratory symptoms.
Cover coughs and sneezes
Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or hand when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissues immediately and don’t forget to wash your hands afterwards.
Disinfect high-touch surfaces
Regularly clean and disinfect frequent touch surfaces such as door handles, light switches and mobile devices. Viruses such as HMPV can survive on surfaces for hours, so regular cleaning can help reduce its spread.
Practice food respiratory hygiene
Consider wearing a mask if you’re in a crowded or poorly ventilated space, especially if you’re experiencing HMPV symptoms.
Stay up to date on vaccines
While there is currently no vaccine specifically for HMPV, keeping up to date on vaccinations for other respiratory viruses such as flu can help protect overall respiratory health.
Should we be worried about HMPV?
Professor Jill Carr, a Virologist in the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, said HMPV is very different to the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said: “This is very different to the Covid-19 pandemic, where the virus was completely new in humans and arose from a spill-over from animals and spread to pandemic levels because there was no prior exposures or protective immunity in the community.
“The scientific community also has some understanding of the genetic diversity and epidemiology of HPMV, the kind of impact the virus has on the lungs and established laboratory testing methods – again, very different to the COVID-19 pandemic, where a new lung disease was seen, there was little information on how the virus may vary and spread and we had no initial diagnostic tests.
“HMPV can certainly make people very sick, and high case numbers are a threat to effective hospital services, but the current situation in China with high HMPV cases is very different to the threats initially posed by SARS-CoV-2 resulting in the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It will be very interesting to learn more about the current circulating HMPV strains, and to see if the simple things we did during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as physical distancing, masking measures and use of rapid antigen testing, can reduce HMPV spread.”
Distinguished Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos is a Professor of Immunology in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, suggested what may be to blame for the outbreak in China.
She said: “Contributing factors to the outbreak may be due to increased vulnerability to co-infections (such as RSV and influenza), and seasonal/environmental conditions like cold weather, which facilitate viral transmission.
“While this outbreak isn’t linked to a more dangerous strain, the growing number of cases and pressure on healthcare systems in densely populated regions like China highlight the need for enhanced surveillance and prevention strategies.
“Ensuring effective monitoring and timely responses will be key to mitigating the public health risks of this outbreak.”