Everything we know about HMPV cases in the UK – and how to get a test
Share:
There has been a surge in HMPV cases in northern China. A surge in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China has prompted some alarm and led to fears of a possible worldwide outbreak. With reports of overcrowding in Chinese hospitals, leaders in the country are attempting to control a new wave of the virus with a spike in cases in northern regions, particularly amongst children.
![[There was an uptick of HMPV cases in late 2024]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/06/15/iStock-1744332060.jpg)
A surge in cases has also been reported in India, Malaysia and Kazakhstan. HMPV is a respiratory disease that causes flu or cold-like symptoms. Most cases are mild, but infection can increase health risks - particularly for the elderly, young children and people with a low immune system - and lead to severe complications such as pneumonia.
For live updates on the virus - follow our blog by clicking here. The disease was first identifed in 2001, and is closely related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Like RSV, it is understood to be a seasonal virus, spiking in colder weather and common among children under five.
It can be spread through sneezing and coughing, or contact with contaminated surfaces. It has been a regular seasonal illness across the world for several decades, meaning more resistance has been built up in the global population than against Covid-19.
Symptoms can include coughing, a fever, nasal congestion and fatigue, and can take three to six days to clear after infection. There is no vaccine or specific treatment, but in mild cases, it will only linger between a few days and a week. Slightly. The latest data from the UK Health & Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that there has been an uptick in cases of HMPV, rising by 4.15 percentage points between October and December last year.
