
A surge in cases of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China has raised fears of another global pandemic. Images of hospitals overrun with masked patients have been circulating have caused a frenzy over the internet, but health experts say that HMPV has been around for a couple of years and China must be witnessing a seasonal increase in HMPV due to the onset of winter, rather than a full blown pandemic.
KEY POINTS
- It can cause respiratory disease.
- It spreads from person to person or surfaces to person.
- Symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath.
- Your healthcare provider can test, however, there is no treatment.
- Prevention measures include hand hygiene, cleaning surfaces, and staying home when sick.
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages, especially among young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. We spoke to Bassel Molaeb, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, Healthcare Advisor, Trainer & Infection Prevention and Control Consultant, The Compass Health Consultancy, Dubai, UAE to understand more about HMPV.
What is human metapneumovirus and what are its symptoms?
HMPV is closely related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and belongs to the Pneumoviridae family of viruses. It is one of the viruses that causes the common cold (leading to upper and lower respiratory tract infections). First identified in 2001, it has been spreading among people for many decades.
Symptoms range from mild, cold-like manifestations such as cough, nasal congestion, and sore throat to more severe complications, including bronchitis, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress in vulnerable populations. Fever, wheezing, and shortness of breath may also occur. The severity of symptoms often depends on the age and health status of the infected individual.
How is human metapneumovirus transmitted?
HMPV is primarily spread via respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, followed by touching the face, particularly the eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus can persist on surfaces for extended periods, contributing to its spread in communal and high-traffic settings.
The estimated incubation period is 3 to 6 days, and the median duration of illness can vary depending upon severity but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses.
Preventing HMPV in Commercial Facilities
One can help prevent the spread of HMPV and other respiratory viruses by following these steps:
- Performing proper hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoiding touching eyes, nose, or mouth without cleaning hands first.
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
- Wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
- Improving ventilation where possible (such as by opening a window for air flow).
People having cold-like symptoms can avoid making others sick by:
- Covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
- Washing hands frequently and correctly (with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or alcohol-based hand rub).
- Avoiding sharing cups and eating utensils with others.
- Refraining from kissing others.
- Staying at home when they are sick.
- Cleaning possible contaminated surfaces (such as doorknobs and shared toys).
In healthcare settings, healthcare providers should follow strict infection prevention measures such as proper hand hygiene practices, enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices as well as use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) once indicated. Hospitals, hotels, malls and airports could be prime locations for the spread of respiratory viruses like HMPV due to high occupancy rates and close interactions. There is currently no vaccine licensed for use against hMPV.
Comparing HMPV to COVID-19 in Infection Prevention and Control
HMPV and COVID-19 share similar modes of transmission, including respiratory droplets (although COVID-19 can have an airborne transmission) and surface contact. However, HMPV has not shown the same level of rapid community spread or pandemic potential as COVID-19. Infection prevention measures for both viruses overlap significantly, emphasizing hand hygiene, disinfection, isolation, and air quality improvement.
Importance of Educating Cleaning Staff
Cleaning staff are frontline defenders in preventing the spread of HMPV in healthcare facilities. Training these individuals on virus-specific disinfection protocols is essential. This includes:
- Identifying frequently touched surfaces and high-traffic zones.
- Ensuring the proper use and application of disinfectants.
- Training staff on the use of PPE to protect themselves while handling potentially contaminated materials.
- Using ad-hock technologies such as UV light disinfection after manual cleaning.
Potential of predictive analytics in infection prevention
Predictive analytics can identify potential hotspots and optimize resource allocation. Using data from surveillance systems, environmental sensors, and historical patterns, predictive models can:
- Pinpoint areas with a high likelihood of HMPV outbreaks.
- Guide resource allocation, such as deploying additional cleaning staff or supplies to high-risk areas.
- Improve early detection of outbreaks, enabling quicker interventions to contain the virus.
- Enhance decision-making for facility managers, ensuring that resources are used efficiently.
Enhancing Air Quality and Ventilation Systems
Improving air quality and ventilation is a critical measure in preventing the spread of droplet-transmitted viruses like HMPV (and even airborne ones). Proper ventilation dilutes and removes infectious particles from indoor spaces, reducing the risk of transmission. Steps include:
- Installing HEPA filters and increasing the air exchange rate in high-occupancy areas.
- Deploying air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters in localized spaces such as conference rooms or waiting areas.
- Introducing fresh outdoor air where feasible, particularly in crowded or enclosed spaces.
- Utilizing UV-C light disinfection within ventilation systems to inactivate airborne pathogens.
Research has consistently shown that improved ventilation and air purification significantly reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.
Human metapneumovirus usually causes cold or flu-like symptoms. However, how sick a person gets depends on many things, including their overall health. Also, since viruses can evolve, their severity may change.