We wouldn’t blame you if the images of mask-laden people crammed into hospital waiting rooms in China, which have cropped up on social media recently, triggered some alarm bells in your head.
But is the spread of human metapneumovirus (HMPV – the illness which has seen numbers increase in China, as well as India, Malaysia and the UK in recent weeks) such a huge concern? Apparently not, according to the experts. It seems the virus is currently experiencing a seasonal surge, but much like the common cold, that’s nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year. Here is everything you need to know.
What is the HMPV and how does it spread?
HMPV is a virus that was first identified in the Netherlands back in 2001 – so it’s not, in fact, a new illness. In terms of symptoms, it’s virtually indistinguishable from the flu. Most people who become infected will experience coughing, nasal congestion and a fever, and recovery time is generally between seven and 10 days.
Cases can be more serious than that, with very young children (those under the age of 2), elderly people and those with advanced cancer being at significantly higher risk. In these cases, people can experience a more severe impact on their lungs, with wheezing and breathlessness.
The virus is spread by direct contact between people (entering through the mouth, nose and eyes) or when someone touches a surface contaminated with it, according to the BBC, which is the same as a common cold.
Why are cases rising in China, India and Malaysia?
The virus peaks during late winter and spring, according to the United States-based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, simply because people tend to spend more time in enclosed spaces during this period.
And, from what we know, there seems to be no need to worry about this becoming a pandemic. The virus is very common, and most children will have had it by the age of five, according to Al Jazeera. Experts have even said that fears of a Covid-19 style emergency are overblown, and WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris described HMPV’s mortality rate as ‘very, very low’.
In response to the rise in cases, China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration has said it’s piloting a monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin. However, while we know that these countries, as well as the UK, have reported seasonal increases in HMPV, surveillance of the virus is not very routine, so the global data isn’t too precise. General advice includes regular hand-washing and wearing a facemask in crowded places.
What is the current travel advice for affected countries?
The health tabs on the FCDO’s travel advice pages for China, India and Malaysia do not recommend against travel due to the seasonal increase in HMPV, so it shouldn’t be a concern if you have a trip booked.
Does travel insurance cover HMPV?
You’ll need to check with your travel insurance provider directly, but it’s common for cancellations due to pre-trip illness (if you have a doctor’s note), and catching an illness abroad to be covered by policies. What won’t be covered is a pre-existing condition that you haven’t declared. There’s more advice from the Association of British Insurers here.
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