The Mystery Behind HMPV: Is it the New Covid?

You may or may not have heard of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), the common respiratory virus spreading in China that many have dubbed “the new Covid-19.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020, people are worried about the seeming similarities of the two diseases, but medical experts argue that it’s nothing to worry about. 

HMPV is a common bacterium that travels worldwide annually and causes upper and lower respiratory tract illness, especially among children, elders, and people with waning immune systems. Because it is a common disease, most people are infected as children and continue to be infected throughout their lives. 

Cases of HMPV are also spreading in the U.S. Since November of 2024, statistics show that cases have been increasing steadily, and the CDC reported that of the 13,800 people tested for respiratory diseases in December, 1.987% tested positive for HMPV. 

According to researchers, HMPV was discovered in 2001 but has been around for at least 60 years. However, it isn’t as well known as influenza and Covid-19. This is because HMPV is not routinely tested for, as the clinical features are hard to distinguish from other diseases. Thus, many cases of HMPV go unrecognized or concluded to be a regular respiratory illness. 

HMPV spreads by contact, which is significantly similar to the ways that people get COVID-19. Symptoms of the virus include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. There is no treatment or vaccine for HMPV, but according to the CDC, there are many prevention measures to take including cleaning surfaces, staying home when sick, and washing hands.