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Rumor Refutation: 3 Essential Points About hMPV

 Rumor 1: This is a new virus just like the SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) !

/✗: Not a New Virus, Discovered and Named Over Two Decades Ago

More than 22 years ago, a virus team in the Netherlands published a paper stating that they had isolated a virus with clinical symptoms similar to those of human respiratory syncytial virus infection, and named it human metapneumovirus (hMPV).

The article mentioned that serological studies indicated that almost all Dutch children had been exposed to hMPV before age 5, and that the virus had been circulating in humans for at least 50 years. Therefore, there is no need for people to be misled by clickbait headlines and panic, mistaking hMPV as a new virus.

Rumor 2: The mortality rate of this virus infection is 43% after 100 days.

/✗: The concept has been misrepresented; the mortality rate is not 43%!

The widely circulated data online claiming a "43% mortality rate 100 days after infection" has been subject to a concept swap. In fact, this figure originates from a study published in the United States in 2013. The study focused on patients who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a group with weakened immune systems and a very high severity rate of hMPV infection, with a 100-day mortality rate as high as 43%.

In general, the clinical manifestations of hMPV infection in the average person are usually mild, and may include respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, and nasal congestion. These symptoms are indistinguishable from those caused by other common respiratory viruses such as influenza, making it difficult for us to determine whether we are infected with hMPV on our own. In such cases, PCR testing of respiratory specimens (such as nasopharyngeal swabs and oropharyngeal swabs) can be used to determine whether an individual is infected with hMPV.

It is particularly important to remind everyone that although the mortality rate of hMPV infection is not the 43% reported online, and most people experience relatively mild symptoms, young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals still need to be particularly cautious. These groups are more likely to develop severe lower respiratory tract diseases, progressing to bronchitis or pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.

Rumor 3: hMPV currently has a specific drug that can cure the symptoms.

/✗: Without specific medications or vaccines, it is necessary to perform daily precautions to reduce the risk of infection.

Currently, there is no specific antiviral therapy specifically targeting human metapneumovirus (hMPV), nor is there a vaccine available for preventing hMPV-related infections. Current treatment primarily focuses on alleviating symptoms. If symptoms are mild, symptomatic treatment at home is appropriate. However, if respiratory symptoms worsen, such as the development of dyspnea or high fever, immediate medical attention is required.

How can we prevent hMPV infections?

According to the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States [6], hMPV is transmitted through person-to-person contact, with the most likely route of transmission being exposure to secretions from coughing or sneezing, or touching objects contaminated with the virus and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth. The daily prevention methods for hMPV are similar to those for other respiratory viruses:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and running water.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with sick individuals.

But if you already have cold-like symptoms, you should:

  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
  • Wash your hands promptly and correctly (using soap and running water for at least 20 seconds).
  • Avoid sharing cups and utensils with others.
  • Take precautions for self-isolation.
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