China is currently battling with a new deadly virus called Human Metapneumovirus leading to increased hospitalizations and public health measures.
The virus also spread to other parts of Asia and the United States. According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of HMPV have been steadily increasing in the U.S. since November 2024 with 1.94% of weekly tests positive for HMPV as of Dec. 28, 2024.
With the new surge of HMPV, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has announced measures to handle suspected cases of the Human Metapneumovirus, a respiratory virus currently surging in parts of northern China.
Speaking through a public health advisory, NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris revealed that quarantine facilities are being prepared, and ports of entry across Nigeria have been placed on high alert.
He stated, “An Entry Implementation Protocol on HMPV, approved by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, is being developed and will be distributed to all points of entry to guide response activities.”
“In addition, quarantine facilities are being identified and prepared to manage any suspected or confirmed cases if required, even as Infection Prevention and Control materials are being deployed to PoEs to ensure adherence to hygiene and safety protocols.
“Information, Education, and Communication materials are being developed and distributed to raise awareness and provide clear guidelines for frontline staff and travellers at PoEs.”
So what is HMPV?
HMPV is a virus that causes mild upper respiratory tract infections similar to the flu for most people.
Symptoms include cough, fever, and nasal congestion.
The virus, first identified in the Netherlands in 2001, spreads through direct contact with infected individuals or by touching contaminated surfaces.
Who is most at risk?
While most people recover quickly, certain groups are more vulnerable to severe complications:
- Young children under two years old
- The elderly
- Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with advanced cancer
For these groups, the infection can lead to severe lung problems, including wheezing, breathlessness, and symptoms of croup.
In serious cases, hospital care is required, and some may face life-threatening complications.
Is HMPV Like COVID-19?
Fears of a COVID-19-style pandemic due to HMPV are overstated, according to health experts. Unlike COVID-19, which was caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, HMPV is not new.
Scientists have traced its presence back at least 60 years, though it was first officially identified by Dutch researchers in the early 2000s.
How are HMPV and COVID-19 similar?
Both HMPV and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses caused by viruses. Their symptoms, including cough, fever, body aches, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath, can overlap, making it difficult to distinguish between them without specific tests. In severe cases, both illnesses may lead to pneumonia.
Both viruses spread through close contact with infected individuals, respiratory droplets from sneezing or coughing, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth. Additionally, they share seasonal patterns, with infections peaking during colder months.
Preventive measures such as wearing masks, maintaining good hand hygiene, and avoiding crowded places are effective for both viruses.
Key differences between HMPV and COVID-19
While their symptoms can appear similar, COVID-19 often includes additional signs, such as loss of smell and taste, severe fatigue, headaches, and chest tightness. These symptoms are less common in HMPV infections.
COVID-19 caused a global pandemic, resulting in millions of deaths worldwide. While HMPV can lead to severe complications in high-risk groups—such as young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals—it has not triggered a pandemic.
HMPV infections can also be asymptomatic, particularly in healthy individuals. Studies show that up to 71% of infections in young, healthy people may show no symptoms at all.
Should Nigerians be worried?
While HMPV infections are concerning, they are not as widespread or deadly as COVID-19. Dr. Jide Idris of the NCDC clarified that reports of the World Health Organization declaring HMPV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern are false.
He urged Nigerians to ignore such misinformation.
Also, Nigeria’s climate is unconducive for HMPV. Experts note that HMPV is most active during late winter and spring. In northern China, the current rise in cases coincides with the cold winter season, which is expected to last until March.
Other countries in the northern hemisphere, including the US and UK, have also reported a spike in HMPV cases since October last year.
Jacqueline Stephens, an epidemiologist at Flinders University in Australia, explained, “The increased prevalence is likely the normal seasonal increase seen in winter.”
