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HMPV virus |

China's mystery HMPV virus sweeps neighbouring countries as India and Malaysia see surge

by DD Staff

January 11, 2025

HMPV in China

key takeaways

There has been a virus that has "overwhelmed" China, and now there are reports that it may be beginning to spread to other nations.

Health professionals have reportedly been "closely monitoring" the issue after learning of the high increase in the human metapneumovirus (HMPV). According to recent reports, the outbreak has been causing problems for Malaysia and India. The Indian state of Karnataka is now acting. After three cases of HMPV were recorded, the government is encouraging individuals to use masks in crowded locations and to avoid public places if they are exhibiting symptoms of the respiratory infection.

Earlier in the week, three children came down with the illness – an eight-month-old boy and a three-month-old girl who tested positive in Bengaluru, while a two-month-old from Rajasthan is undergoing treatment for the illness in Ahmedabad.

While professionals say this is not the same as Covid, the virus has had a reported increase in the UK, leaving health professionals worried the NHS could become even more overwhelmed.

The virus was first identified in the Netherlands in 2001 and is a common illness worldwide which belongs to the same family as RSV – short for respiratory syncytial virus. Symptoms can present as a cold, cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath.

However, it can develop into serious complications, leaving patients ill and even close to death.

Concerns about whether it is present in the UK are rife. Latest data from the UK Health & Security Agency (UKHSA) shows there has been an increase in cases of HMPV, rising by 4.15 percentage points between October and December last year.

The percentage of people testing positive for HMPV out of those visiting participating GPs with symptoms of respiratory illness also increased to 4.53 per cent by the end of 2024.

UKHSA says HMPV is currently at a “medium” level of activity, and the rate of positive cases is only slightly higher than the start of 2024. However, they are keeping a close eye on the situation.

The NHS already has reports of being overwhelmed, due to "exceptionally high" levels of flu and other winter illnesses. Earlier this week, several hospitals released a 'full capacity' alert after some patients were forced to wait 91 hours for A&E treatment.

It’s escalated now to a critical situation – which means they’re under even more pressure than before.