CDC Monitors Rising HMPV Cases in China & the U.S.: Understanding the Risks & Realities

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring a reported increase in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in northern China while simultaneously observing a steady rise in infections across the United States. According to a report in The New York Post, Chinese media outlets reported a significant uptick in HMPV positivity rates among children aged 14 and younger, triggering heightened global vigilance amid lingering memories of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, as The Post report emphasized, the CDC reassured the public that current HMPV infection rates in the United States remain within “pre-pandemic” levels and are not yet considered a cause for alarm.

The New York Post report explained that HMPV is a respiratory virus that shares many similarities with the common cold, causing symptoms such as cough, fever, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and shortness of breath.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, as cited by The New York Post, HMPV often goes unnoticed or undiagnosed due to its overlap with common cold and flu symptoms. The virus was only discovered in 2001, and since then, it has shown a pattern of seasonal spikes, most prominently during winter and flu season.

While HMPV usually resolves on its own after rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications, it can pose significant risks to vulnerable groups, including young children, elderly individuals and immunocompromised patients

The Post noted that most children contract HMPV by the time they turn five years old, and the CDC estimates that at least 20,000 children under age five are hospitalized annually in the U.S. due to severe HMPV-related complications.

Reports from Chinese state media, as cited by The Post, indicate a significant rise in HMPV positivity rates among children, particularly in northern China. This has led to global concerns about the potential for a new pandemic. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has sought to quell fears, stating that respiratory illnesses, including HMPV, naturally peak during winter months.

In an official statement reported by The Post, the ministry clarified: The current wave of respiratory infections in China appears less severe than last year. The spread is occurring on a smaller scale compared to previous seasons.

While the Chinese government seeks to reassure both domestic and international audiences, The New Post pointed out that heightened global sensitivity to emerging diseases remains a lingering consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the United States, HMPV cases have been steadily rising since November 2023. According to the CDC’s latest data, during the week of December 28, 2023, approximately 13,800 people were tested for various respiratory illnesses. Of those tested 1.94% tested positive for HMPV, 18.71% tested positive for influenza, and 7.10% tested positive for COVID-19.

The CDC currently advises standard preventive measures for individuals experiencing HMPV symptoms, including staying hydrated and getting adequate rest.

At present, there is no vaccine or specific treatment available for HMPV, according to The Post report. However, Moderna, the pharmaceutical company behind one of the leading COVID-19 vaccines, is actively working on developing an HMPV vaccine to address this unmet medical need.

The CDC is urging healthcare providers to remain vigilant when diagnosing respiratory illnesses, especially in high-risk groups, to ensure early detection and appropriate care.

The CDC continues to emphasize that respiratory infections often see seasonal surges and that preventive measures such as handwashing, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces remain effective tools against the spread of viruses like HMPV.