You might have seen some alarming posts on social media about a mysterious respiratory illness spreading in China.
But before you start worrying, let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on. Experts say that the virus, known as human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is not new to Australians and shouldn’t cause panic.
What is HMPV and How Does it Affect Us?
HMPV is a common respiratory illness that causes cold or flu-like symptoms, such as coughing, a runny nose, and shortness of breath.
It’s been around since 2001, and while there’s no vaccine, severe cases can be treated in hospitals.
According to Jaya Dantas, a professor of international health at Curtin University, “In young children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised, HMPV can lead to severe cases and can move to the lower respiratory tract and may lead to pneumonia.”
What Are Experts Saying About HMPV?
Experts are urging Australians to take a cautious approach, monitoring the situation in China and taking necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
This includes getting PCR tests, staying home if you’re sick, and wearing a mask in public.
Sanjaya Senanayake, an associate professor of medicine at the Australian National University, says that China needs to share its data on the outbreak, including epidemiological and genomic data, to help guide vaccine development.
How Does HMPV Compare to COVID-19?
While HMPV can make people very sick, it’s not the same as COVID-19. Professor Jill Carr, a virologist at Flinders University, explains that “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.”
Unlike COVID-19, HMPV is not a new virus, and we have some understanding of its genetic diversity and epidemiology.
What is the Government Saying?
Health Minister Mark Butler says that the government is watching the situation in China and is keeping a close eye on any developments.
He notes that HMPV is quite common in Australia and has been around for a long time, citing figures that show it’s the fifth most common respiratory illness contracted in 2024.
So, while it’s essential to be aware of the situation, there’s no need to panic just yet.