All we know about HMPV in the UK: symptoms, numbers, and how to test

According to official figures, the number of positive tests for the virus that has melted hospitals in China is increasing in the UK.

New UK Health Security Agency data (UKHSA) shows that out of every 20 hospital swabs for respiratory infections in the UK, in the week ending January 19, for Human Metafenomovirus (HMPV). This shows the highest registered virus. This winter is very far away.

Increasing HMPV cases in China caused alarm to be alarm and led to fear of possible outbreaks around the world.

With reports of crowded crowds in Chinese hospitals, leaders have tried to control a new wave of spikes in cases in the northern areas, especially among children.

Increasing cases in India, Malaysia and Kazakhstan have also been reported.

HMPV is a respiratory disease that causes the flu or symptoms of colds. Most cases are mild, but infection can increase health risks – especially for older people, young children and low immune systems – and lead to severe complications such as pneumonia.

There have also been concerns about HMPV in China (AFP through Getty Images)

The disease was first identified in 2001 and is closely linked to the respiratory sycacitial virus (RSV). Like RSV, it seems that the virus is seasonal, in the colder weather and among children under five years of age.

It can be distributed through sneezing and coughing or contacting contaminated surfaces. These decades have been a regular seasonal illness around the world, meaning that more resistance has been created in the global population than Coveid-19.

Symptoms can include cough, fever, nose congestion and fatigue, and can take three to six days to cleanse after the infection. There is no specific vaccine or treatment, but in mild cases, only a few days to a week.

Is HMPV rise in the UK?

A little bit of the latest British Health and Security Agency data (UKHSA) shows that there was a climb in HMPV cases and increased by 4.15 percent between October and December last year.

But the percentage of positive tests for HMPV from people visiting GPS with respiratory symptoms has increased to 4.92 percent by mid -January 2025. This is above 4.18 percent of the records at the beginning of the year, but much lower than 10 % registered in 2021.

This may seem significant, but at these low rates there is still no reason to worry. UKHSA says HMPV is at the “moderate” activity level and positive cases are just slightly higher than the start of the year 2024, when it was 4.18 %. The health agency points out that the current level is also compatible with what is seen in winter.

The rate is also much lower than the number of people testing for positive influenza, in mid -January 14.85 % or respiratory sycacitial virus (RSV) with a percentage. However, this is higher than COVID positive tests, which is more than 2 %.

There were cases of HMPV items in late 2024 (Gett pictures)

The latest data suggests that China’s HMPV outbreak is unlikely to lead to a global epidemic five years ago. If impossible, there is a serious expansion of China, a higher global resistance to the disease, along with its milder symptoms, means that most countries are better ready to deal with a climb.

What are HMPV symptoms?

In most cases, HMPV only causes mild disease. According to Scottish public health, the most common symptoms are:

Symptoms of colds or flu (cough, nose or nose congestion, fever and/or chills)
Asthma flames
Sumurization
Wheezing
Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)

Symptoms of severe infection with HMPV include:

Acute bronchitis (inflammation of the lungs, sometimes called “cold”)
Bronchiolitis (inflammation and congestion in small air ducts in children and infants)
Pneumonia (lung infection)

How to get a test for HMPV

In most cases, the symptoms of HMPV are mild and disappear in a week. Those who are otherwise healthy and only experience mild conditions are unlikely to need a general practitioner.

However, people in higher risk groups may want to visit their general practitioners to be safe. A trip may also be recommended for those who experience severe and persistent HMPV symptoms. They can diagnose you and provide a test if necessary.