In recent days, the news has been all over international media: cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) are rapidly on the rise in China, particularly among children. Regarding the respiratory pathogen, which in severe cases can cause bronchitis or pneumonia, some media outlets have published alarming news about a potential new pandemic and a devastating virus, as well as overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums.
What do we actually know about HMPV, how concerning is it, and what might explain the spike in cases in China? We posed these questions to virologist Dr. Gábor Kemenesi, associate professor at the University of Pécs and head of the National Laboratory of Virology.
Similar trends in other infections
Local organisations have confirmed the spread of the infection in northern China, though precise data have not yet been disclosed. While authorities have emphasised the importance of health and hygiene precautions, they have unequivocally refuted claims of hospital overcrowding, attributing the higher patient load to the usual winter season of respiratory infections.
The human metapneumovirus was first described over 20 years ago, in 2001. According to Dr. Kemenesi, the pathogen has likely been circulating among humans since the 1950s or 1960s. He emphasises that HMPV is a characteristic virus during the high season of respiratory illnesses – such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and now Covid-19. An increase in case numbers is not surprising in itself, as similar trends have been observed in recent times with other diseases, and not only in China.
For instance, in 2023–2024, a significant whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak occurred in Europe. Based on data collected by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control since 2006, the continent registered about 2,000–4,000 monthly cases before 2023, while in March 2024, this figure surged to nearly 13,000. This phenomenon was also evident in Hungary, where 1,127 whooping cough cases were reported to the National Centre for Public Health and Pharmacy in the first 45 weeks of 2024, a dramatic increase compared to the figures from 2018 to 2022.
Furthermore, the data clearly show a significant decline during the pandemic. This was due to the restrictions, which, in addition to Covid-19, visibly hindered the spread of other infectious diseases, including whooping cough.
“The lockdowns completely disrupted the circulation of previously known respiratory infections as well.
What is now happening in China is likely the result of the same effect: the consequences of natural immunity gaps, missed seasons, and the virus’s sudden resurgence
– the expert told 24.hu.
Is it really dangerous?
HMPV is a widely known virus that causes respiratory infections and is currently circulating in Hungary alongside RSV, influenza, and Covid-19. Some cases had already appeared in the data of the National Centre for Public Health and Pharmacy by late 2024.
“The discussion around a possible epidemic in China is overall quite overblown and misinterpreted. Since Covid-19, people have become very sensitive whenever a disease spreads quickly in China, but there is no question of another pandemic – emphasised Gábor Kemenesi.
