Cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) have doubled in Britain over the past month, as leading virus experts urge Chinese authorities to share crucial information about their outbreak.
The latest UK surveillance data shows that up to one in 20 respiratory infections could now be attributed to HMPV, with cases increasing particularly sharply in children under five.
The increase comes as Chinese hospitals report being overwhelmed with HMPV patients, mostly affecting children, with social media showing crowded waiting rooms.
The chief scientific officer of infectious disease testing company hVIVO, Dr Andrew Catchpole, said British authorities needed more details about the specific strain circulating in China in order to properly assess the potential risks to the British public.
An art teacher paints a poster to raise awareness against the spread of the HMPV virus in Mumbai, India
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Beijing has downplayed the situation, saying respiratory infections are “less serious” and “lower in scale” compared to last year. According to the UK Health Safety Agency, one in ten children tested for respiratory infections in hospital tested positive for HMPV as of December 23.
This represents more than double the proportion of very young children testing positive compared to the end of November. Children under five are considered “super-spreaders” because of their habit of putting dirty hands in their mouths and touching their eyes or noses, experts say.
Children are particularly vulnerable to HMPV because their immune systems are still developing and their small airways increase the risk of complications.
The virus can hide in the body for days before symptoms appear, meaning people can unknowingly spread it while appearing healthy.
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The pediatric department of a hospital in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province
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Overall HMPV positivity in the UK has increased to 4.5 percent, with the highest rates being 10 percent among under-fives.
“HMPV is usually detected in winter, but it appears that serious infection rates are higher in China than would be expected in a normal year,” Dr Catchpole said.
“We need more information about the specific strain that is circulating to begin to understand whether these are the usual strains circulating or whether there are differences in the virus causing high infection rates in China.” , he added.
Dr. Catchpole noted that although HMPV mutates over time, it is “not a virus considered to have pandemic potential.”
Dr Sanjaya Senanayake, from the Australian National University, said it was “vital that China shares its data on this outbreak in a timely manner”.
“We will need genomic data confirming that HMPV is the culprit and that there are no significant mutations of concern,” Dr Senanayake stressed.
HMPV typically causes cold-like symptoms including fever, cough, congestion, and shortness of breath, with most cases resolving within five days. However, more serious symptoms such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia can occur, particularly in vulnerable groups.
Professor Jaya Dantas from Curtin University warned: “In young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, HMPV can cause severe cases and can lead to pneumonia. »
Experts recommend getting tested, staying home when sick, and wearing masks in public spaces to protect vulnerable people.
