EXCLUSIVE: The recent outbreak of the HMPV virus in China has lead many to wonder how dangerous this virus is and whether it has the potential to mutate and develop into new strains
Scientists have revealed just how dangerous the HMPV virus is and if it has the potential to mutate into new straits and variants.
The recent HMPV virus outbreak across China has caused massive concern. Cases have begun to be seen in other countries such as Malaysia, Kazakhstan and India, and footage circulating on social media has shown frightening images of rows of children hooked up to IV drips in Chinese hospitals.
Despite the recent HMPV virus outbreak in China, medical lecturer Dr Gareth Nye affirmed the virus was first identified in 2001 in the Netherlands. He said the majority of people wouldn’t be able to distinguish it from the common cold and there’s evidence to suggest it has been around since the 1950s.
The lecturer in medical science provided clarity on the nature of the virus and said: “Most people would have been infected at some point in their lives and not given it a second thought and there have been outbreaks of cases within the UK.”
Despite fears of the virus spreading to other countries, Dr Nye highlighted: “Around 10-12% of all respiratory illnesses in children are caused by this virus,” – so there’s a possibility you might have already contracted the virus in the past and not realised.
“A small number of people may develop more serious conditions such as pneumonia from this virus, children develop it in between 5 and 16% of cases,” he added.
Similar to COVID-19, individuals who are the most vulnerable to the virus include children, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
On fighting the virus, Dr Nye said while HMPV “vaccines would not be useful in this disease and antiviral therapies are not recommended”, he noted: “Good hygiene and common sense around illness should be sufficient to combat the virus.”
Unlike COVID-19, the emergence of new strains of the HMPV virus are not a massive concern to scientists. On the potential of mutations and strains emerging, Dr Nye said: “At this stage as the virus has been circulating for a number of years without significant changes we would be at low concerns for any novel strains.”
You can keep up with Dr Nye and his recent work at @ganye91 on X/formerly known as Twitter, or at @dr.gareth.nye on TikTok.