Respiratory diseases have increased sharply in China, causing alarming conditions. Medical centres are full, health professionals are under severe stress, and experts are sounding the alarm regarding the human metapneumovirus (HMPV). This dangerous respiratory pathogen is also emerging in other parts of Asia, and health authorities are reacting rapidly.

According to China's health officials, northern regions are bearing the brunt of the outbreak. The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirms it's the worst-hit area. While HMPV can infect anyone, it's particularly worrisome for children, raising red flags about broader public health impacts. Despite social media buzzing with reports of a critical situation, neither Chinese officials nor the World Health Organization (WHO) has hit the emergency button just yet.

No Vaccine for a 20-Year-Old Virus

But the kicker is that HMPV has been on the radar for two decades, yet there is no vaccine. It has pushed health experts to double down on preventive measures. Their advice? Stick to the basics-wash your hands, mask up, and avoid crowded spaces.

Asian governments are monitoring the situation closely. Hong Kong has reported a few cases so far but is being careful. Japan is facing its own flu epidemic because it has already reported more than 94,000 cases in one week and has reached a total of 718,000 cases for the season so far.

What are the symptoms of HMPV?

HMPV can be mild, like your common cold or flu, but quickly worsen in others. Be on the lookout for these things:

• Cough
• Fever
• Nasal congestion
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing especially in children

In severe cases, the disease can lead to other complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia, mainly in vulnerable sections of society, such as small children, older people, and immunocompromised individuals. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 6 days after exposure, and the duration may vary with the severity of the infection.

This virus does not play favourites but is extremely harsh on the young, old, and immune-compromised. Most cases present merely as a nagging cold, but in vulnerable groups, it can become something more severe. Data shows that HMPV is responsible for 1% of acute lower respiratory infection deaths in children younger than five years old, according to a study in The Lancet Global Health.

How to Keep Safe

Until there's a vaccine (fingers crossed), prevention is your best bet. Here's what you can do:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Stay away from anyone coughing or sneezing.
• Disinfect surfaces you touch regularly, like doorknobs and phones.

How Does HMPV Compare to COVID-19?

HMPV and COVID-19 may be a déjà vu feeling, since both target the respiratory system and give symptoms like coughing, fever, congestion, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Both spread via respiratory droplets, and they thrive in crowded spaces with poor hygiene.

There are a few key differences, though. HMPV usually spikes in winter and spring, while COVID-19, thanks to its constantly changing variants, has been shown to thrive all year long. Severe cases of both can be serious enough to send patients to the hospital, but the sheer global spread and higher transmissibility of COVID-19 have made it much more significant in general.

Why Are We Now Seeing an Increase in HMPV Cases?

 An interesting twist: cases of HMPV reportedly tripled in some regions after restrictions related to COVID-19 were removed. Why? Experts point out that exposure to viruses decreased during lockdowns, leaving our immune system a bit rusty. Once we shed masks and social distancing, respiratory infections like HMPV exploded as people began rejoicing in crowded environments and resuming their daily life.

It is another reminder that while measures such as lock-downs diminish immediate threats, they may also have ripple effects on our immunity. The bottom line is: balance: vigilance without letting the guard drop completely.