The US states where hMPV is surging

By CONNOR BOYD, DEPUTY HEAD OF NEWS

Published: | Updated:

A respiratory virus called human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is causing a surge in infections across parts of the Midwest US. The CDC reports that 2.2% of tests conducted across America in the week ending January 4 were positive for hMPV, representing a 25% increase from the previous week. This indicates that one in 50 Americans with a cough likely had the virus during that period. Despite concerns, doctors emphasize that hMPV is generally mild for most people.

A respiratory virus called human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is causing a surge in infections across parts of the Midwest US. The CDC reports that 2.2% of tests conducted across America in the week ending January 4 were positive for hMPV, representing a 25% increase from the previous week. This indicates that one in 50 Americans with a cough likely had the virus during that period. Despite concerns, doctors emphasize that hMPV is generally mild for most people.

The CDC data indicates that parts of the Midwest have become hotspots for hMPV infections. Missouri , Kansas , Nebraska , and Iowa are reporting positivity rates more than twice the national average. In these states, nearly 6% of tests came back positive for the virus during the first week of January, up from around 4% the week before. The data highlights a concentrated surge in these regions compared to the rest of the country.

The CDC data indicates that parts of the Midwest have become hotspots for hMPV infections. Missouri , Kansas , Nebraska , and Iowa are reporting positivity rates more than twice the national average. In these states, nearly 6% of tests came back positive for the virus during the first week of January, up from around 4% the week before. The data highlights a concentrated surge in these regions compared to the rest of the country.

hMPV recently drew global attention following a viral outbreak in China , where overcrowded hospitals sparked pandemic fears. Footage from Chinese social media showing packed waiting rooms mirrored scenes from the early days of the Covid pandemic. While the images were concerning, health officials have reassured the public that hMPV is not as severe as Covid-19. The virus typically causes mild symptoms in most people and rarely leads to severe illness.

hMPV recently drew global attention following a viral outbreak in China , where overcrowded hospitals sparked pandemic fears. Footage from Chinese social media showing packed waiting rooms mirrored scenes from the early days of the Covid pandemic. While the images were concerning, health officials have reassured the public that hMPV is not as severe as Covid-19. The virus typically causes mild symptoms in most people and rarely leads to severe illness.

Although hMPV is not new, many people remain unfamiliar with it. Some doctors describe it as "the most important virus you've never heard of," and it has been around for decades. It typically causes cold-like symptoms , including coughing, a blocked or runny nose, sore throat, and slight fever. In most cases, symptoms clear on their own within a few days without the need for medical intervention.

Although hMPV is not new, many people remain unfamiliar with it. Some doctors describe it as "the most important virus you've never heard of," and it has been around for decades. It typically causes cold-like symptoms , including coughing, a blocked or runny nose, sore throat, and slight fever. In most cases, symptoms clear on their own within a few days without the need for medical intervention.

While hMPV is mild for most, it can pose serious risks to vulnerable populations. Elderly individuals, young children, and people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of complications. In severe cases, hMPV can cause bronchitis, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia , which may require hospitalization. Patients with these conditions may experience shortness of breath, severe cough, or wheezing.

While hMPV is mild for most, it can pose serious risks to vulnerable populations. Elderly individuals, young children, and people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of complications. In severe cases, hMPV can cause bronchitis, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia , which may require hospitalization. Patients with these conditions may experience shortness of breath, severe cough, or wheezing.

There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for hMPV, which concerns health experts. Preventative measures are recommended to reduce the risk of infection, including frequent handwashing and avoiding crowded spaces. Wearing masks in busy areas and minimizing close contact with sick individuals can also help prevent transmission. Public health officials stress that these precautions are similar to those used for other respiratory viruses like the flu and RSV . Around 20,000 children under five in the US are hospitalized with HMPV every year and a few hundred of those die from the illness. For comparison, over 1million Americans have visited the emergency room for RSV, and nearly 10million have been struck with influenza since October.

There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for hMPV, which concerns health experts. Preventative measures are recommended to reduce the risk of infection, including frequent handwashing and avoiding crowded spaces. Wearing masks in busy areas and minimizing close contact with sick individuals can also help prevent transmission. Public health officials stress that these precautions are similar to those used for other respiratory viruses like the flu and RSV . Around 20,000 children under five in the US are hospitalized with HMPV every year and a few hundred of those die from the illness. For comparison, over 1million Americans have visited the emergency room for RSV, and nearly 10million have been struck with influenza since October.

hMPV spreads in a manner similar to Covid-19 , primarily through respiratory droplets. The virus is transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing droplets into the air. It can also spread through close personal contact, such as shaking hands or touching contaminated surfaces. This makes basic hygiene practices, like sanitizing hands and disinfecting surfaces, critical in reducing the spread of the virus.

hMPV spreads in a manner similar to Covid-19 , primarily through respiratory droplets. The virus is transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing droplets into the air. It can also spread through close personal contact, such as shaking hands or touching contaminated surfaces. This makes basic hygiene practices, like sanitizing hands and disinfecting surfaces, critical in reducing the spread of the virus.

China also reported an outbreak of hMPV, but officials say infection rates are stabilizing. In northern China, the rate of positive cases has started to decline, particularly among children under the age of 14. Beijing officials have reassured the public that there is no apparent shortage of medical resources. They emphasized that while clinics and emergency departments remain busy, the situation is less severe compared to the same period last year.

China also reported an outbreak of hMPV, but officials say infection rates are stabilizing. In northern China, the rate of positive cases has started to decline, particularly among children under the age of 14. Beijing officials have reassured the public that there is no apparent shortage of medical resources. They emphasized that while clinics and emergency departments remain busy, the situation is less severe compared to the same period last year.

Despite the rise in cases, health officials stress that hMPV is much milder than the initial Covid strain. Unlike Covid-19, hMPV has been around for decades, and population immunity has built up over time. Most people who contract the virus will experience symptoms similar to a common cold and recover within days. Doctors are urging the public not to panic, as the vast majority of cases remain mild.

Despite the rise in cases, health officials stress that hMPV is much milder than the initial Covid strain. Unlike Covid-19, hMPV has been around for decades, and population immunity has built up over time. Most people who contract the virus will experience symptoms similar to a common cold and recover within days. Doctors are urging the public not to panic, as the vast majority of cases remain mild.

Although hMPV is concerning, it is far less prevalent than other respiratory viruses like influenza and RSV. Public health data shows that flu infections are significantly more widespread, with nearly 20% of tests across the US coming back positive for influenza. For comparison, RSV has sent more than a million Americans to the emergency room this season. Experts recommend the same preventative measures for all respiratory viruses to stay protected during peak infection periods.

Although hMPV is concerning, it is far less prevalent than other respiratory viruses like influenza and RSV. Public health data shows that flu infections are significantly more widespread, with nearly 20% of tests across the US coming back positive for influenza. For comparison, RSV has sent more than a million Americans to the emergency room this season. Experts recommend the same preventative measures for all respiratory viruses to stay protected during peak infection periods.

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