The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring reports of an increase in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, while the United States is seeing an increase in such cases.
The CDC said it was aware of an increase in HMPV cases in northern China, following media reports in Beijing.
However, the CDC emphasized that the number of respiratory illnesses in America remains at “pre-pandemic” levels and is not a cause for concern.
Like the common cold, HMPV is a respiratory illness that causes cough, fever, congestion, runny nose, sore throat and shortness of breath, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Because of its similarities to the common cold, the virus remained under the radar until its discovery in 2001.
Most children become infected with HMPV by age 5. The CDC estimates that at least 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized with HMPV each year.
As with other respiratory infections, HMPV can be particularly severe in young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
The Chinese government appeared to deny claims that HMPV cases had skyrocketed in the nation, raising concerns that the world could face another COVID-like pandemic in 2020.
“Respiratory infections peak in winter,” China’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday.
“Diseases are less severe and appear to be spreading on a smaller scale compared to previous years,” the office added.
Although low, cases in the United States have been steadily increasing since November, and the CDC found that only 1.94% of an estimated 13,800 people tested for respiratory illness in the week of December 28 tested positive for HMPV.
The percentage is low compared to influenza infections, which were 18.71% of positive tests in the same week. It is 7.10% of COVID.
Most people with HMPV infection recover after a few days of rest, drinking fluids, and taking over-the-counter STD prevention medications and pain relievers.
There is currently no cure or vaccine for the disease, but Moderna is working on developing a COVID-19 vaccine.
