Context: China is reportedly witnessing a surge in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, sparking concerns of another health crisis after COVID-19 pandemic. The Chinese authorities and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have not declared a state of emergency yet.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about the human metapneumovirus disease.
What is human metapneumovirus (HMPV)?
- Discovered in 2001, HMPV belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
- HMPV is a respiratory virus that typically causes upper and lower respiratory infections, presenting symptoms similar to a common cold or flu.
- Risk:
- It can affect individuals across all age groups.
- Children under five years old, older adults (particularly those over 65) and individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic respiratory conditions are at higher risk.
Mode of Transmission:
- HMPV spreads through droplets from coughing or sneezing, close contact such as touching or shaking hands, contaminated surfaces.
- HMPV has a seasonal pattern, circulating in late winter and spring in temperate regions.
Symptoms of HMPV:
- Cough and runny or stuffy nose, fever, sore throat, wheezing or shortness of breath in severe cases.
- In some cases, the infection can escalate to bronchitis, pneumonia or asthma exacerbations.
Testing and diagnosis:
- Infection with HMPV can usually be confirmed by:
- Direct detection of viral genome by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT).
- Direct detection of viral antigens in respiratory secretions using immunofluorescence or enzyme immunoassay.
Treatment options:
- There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV.
Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT):
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) are molecular diagnostic tests that detect the presence of specific genetic material (DNA or RNA) from pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
- It is a powerful tool for diagnosing a wide range of infections, including, COVID-19, influenza, HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis etc.
How does NAAT work?
- Sample Collection: A sample is collected from the patient, such as a swab from the nose or throat, blood, or urine.
- Extraction: The nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) is extracted from the sample.
- Amplification: The target nucleic acid sequence is multiplied (amplified) millions of times using specific techniques like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
- Detection: The amplified nucleic acid is detected and identified, confirming the presence of the target organism.
How does HMPV compare to COVID-19?
- HMPV and COVID-19 both cause respiratory issues such as coughing, fever, congestion, sore throat and shortness of breath, and both spread through respiratory droplets.
- HMPV typically peaks during winter and spring, unlike COVID-19 which can spread year-round due to evolving variants.