Health experts have issued an urgent warning over HMPV's hidden symptoms as the rate of cases doubled in the UK in just two weeks. The virus, also known as the human metapneumovirus, has seen a surge of cases in Malaysia, India and Kazakhstan as well as in China. UK health officials said the percentage of positive cases in the UK was at 2.42 per cent in the week leading up to December 9.
The UK Health Security Agency said there was a slight upward trend in HMPV cases across the country with positive lab test results reaching 4.5 per cent as of January 3, although the figure is believed to be higher. The agency said on Monday that data indicated cases were following its usual seasonal pattern in the UK.
According to Public Health Scotland the disease in humans tends to be mild and moderate, although it can be severe in untreated children, the elderly and immunocompromised. The most common symptoms include:. More severe symptoms include inflammation of the airways of the lungs and inflammation and congestion in the small airways of the lungs in young children and infants as well as pneumonia. The estimated incubation period for HMPV is between three and six days.
There are other symptoms of the common cold that people should be aware of, according to the NHS. Cold symptoms typically come on gradually over two to three says and last between one to two weeks. Typical symptoms of a common cold include: Sneezing, blocked or runny nose, a sore throat, hoarse voice, cough and feeling tired or unwell. They can also include:.
