Australians may have spotted images of busy hospital waiting rooms in China on their social media feeds in recent days.
Beijing has since acknowledged a surge in cases of the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV), especially among children.
In response, countries such as Indonesia have increased their surveillance, including of people arriving in Bali from China and Malaysia.
The Denpasar port health office (KKP) has started requiring passengers from both countries to fill out a health pass form three days before their arrival, noting any issues such as high body temperatures or cold or flu-like symptoms.
"Airlines from China and Malaysia need our special attention, though we have yet to implement health protocols," Denpasar KKP head Anak Agung Ngurah Kesumajaya said, as quoted by detikBali.
But while the unfamiliar combination of letters paired with the word "outbreak" might sound alarming, it's actually a very common virus that we've known about for more than 70 years.
What does HMPV stand for?
Human metapneumovirus.
The "M" in this acronym is important because it differentiates it from HPV, which is human papillomavirus — a sexually transmitted infection that is responsible for almost all cases of genital warts and cervical cancer.
HMPV and HPV are completely different infections.
What is HMPV?
It's a respiratory virus.
And it usually only causes mild illness similar to a cold, the federal government's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) website says.
But it can make some people sick, leading to bronchitis or pneumonia.
Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at high risk of complications, NSW Health's website says.
Is HMPV a new virus?
No, it's been around for more than 70 years.
It was first discovered in 2001 by scientists in The Netherlands.
Then they found it had been circulating in humans for at least 50 years before that.
"Serological studies showed that by the age of five years, virtually all children in the Netherlands have been exposed to human metapneumovirus," researchers wrote in their 2001 paper about the virus.
So outbreaks of this virus are not uncommon.
It was circulating in Australia in October last year and there was an outbreak of HMPV cases in New South Wales in 2023.
So why are cases rising in China?
Like many respiratory infections, HMPV is most active during late winter and spring.
Recent data from the Chinese Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows there's been a rise in the number of common respiratory infections, including HMPV, the seasonal flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
"China's reported levels of respiratory infections are within the normal range. It's what we would expect to see for the winter season," Margaret Harris, a spokesperson for the World Health Organization, said.
Australian Health Minister Mark Butler said it was not uncommon for there to be a surge in respiratory illnesses during the Chinese winter and "for that to impact their hospital systems".
"It's a type of illness we're pretty familiar with [in Australia]," he said.
What are the symptoms of HMPV?
Think along the lines of a cold, so:
- Cough
- Fever
- Runny or blocked nose
- Headache
- Feeling tired
How is HMPV spread?
It's spread the same as other respiratory illnesses: via droplets containing the virus.
The virus is present in an infected person's mucus and saliva.
Generally, we try to keep our snot and spit to ourselves, but tiny, tiny droplets of this bodily fluid go into the air when we breathe, cough and sneeze.
It can remain airborne or settle on surfaces nearby.
And it can infect another person if that person either:
- Breathes in airborne droplets
- Touches those droplets and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth
How do I protect myself from HMPV?
Washing your hands is a big one.
But here's the full list from NSW Health about how to protect yourself from any respiratory illness:
- Wear a face mask. Masks provide an extra layer of protection against viral illnesses and are strongly recommended in crowded places.
- Wash your hands regularly, and as soon as possible after sneezing or coughing. Use soap and water and wash for 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser if you can't wash your hands with soap and water.
- Avoid sharing cups, glasses and cutlery with people who are sick. Regularly wash or wipe down utensils and surfaces with a household cleaner that contains soap or detergent.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, or use your elbow. Don't use your hands. Dispose of tissues straight away in a bin.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell so you don't pass your virus to other people.
- Keep children away from school and early childhood education and care settings while they have symptoms. This includes child care, long day care, family day care and outside school hours care.?
Is there a vaccine for HMPV?
Not yet.
However, researchers are working on it here in Australia.
The University of the Sunshine Coast is currently running a clinical trial on a vaccine and is still recruiting volunteers in south-east Queensland.
Participants will be paid up to $2,125 upon completion of the trial, but they must be between the ages of 60 and 83, and must also meet a range of other criteria.
