People who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from 'hidden' HMPV illness as experts warn over dismissing it as flu

Experts have warned that people need to be aware of a little known winter illness that can cause 'severe disease' for people who are most at risk.

Growing cases of HMPV illnesses have been confirmed with China seeing increasing cases of the illness, as well as India, Kazakhstan and Malaysia.

Now that it has been five years since the worldwide outbreak of Covid-19, it’s understandable that people would be trepidatious about another round of potential contagions.

But the human metapneumovirus, aka HMPV, has been around for years, having first surfaced 24 years ago in 2001, and similar to the flu, comes in peak flu season throughout winter and spring as well as being spread through sneezing, coughing, or contact with contaminated surfaces.

HMPV symptoms

HMPV was first discovered in 2001 (Getty Stock Images)

HMPV is a seasonal illness which has been seen across the globe for years, and because of this, there is more resistance among the general population, The Independent says.

But for some people who do get it, it could lead to health complications.

According to Public Health Scotland, you can expect to see coughing, a high temperature and a runny nose three to six days after being infected.

However, those who are more at risk could see more severe symptoms.

Who is most at risk from HMPV?

Professor Paul Griffin, director of infectious diseases at Mater Health Services in Brisbane, told the Guardian: "It certainly can and does cause severe disease, that’s why I think it’s important that people know it’s out there."

Children, the elderly or those who are immunocompromised could experience issues such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia and flare ups for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which may require hospital treatment.

This is the same for people who already have lung conditions like asthma.

Pro Griffin says: "The challenge is at the moment there’s not much we can do except educate people [that] it’s around to reduce transmission. There’s no vaccine or antivirals, although there are some vaccines in development."

How can you protect yourself and others from HMPV?

Some people are at risk of serious illness (Getty Stock Image)

Professor Jaya Dantas at Curtin University in Australia explained that to protect yourself, you can 'wear a mask in public' and stay away from others to protect the vulnerable people mentioned above.

"In young children, the elderly and those who are immune compromised, HMPV can lead to severe cases and can move to the lower respiratory tract and may lead to pneumonia," the expert added.

Jonathan Ball, who works at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, also shared: "HMPV has been known about since 2001, and has been circulating in humans for at least 50 years - probably a lot longer.

"Unfortunately, it is associated with pneumonia, particularly in young children, but this is thankfully rare."

Lastly, Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia, added: "Almost every child will have at least one infection with HMPV by their fifth birthday and we can expect to go on to have multiple reinfections throughout life.

"It is one of the leading viral causes of respiratory infections in children under five-year-olds."

It’s important to know that most kids aged five and under have already caught HMPV at one point or another and according to the Cleveland Clinic, once you’ve had it, the next time is likely to be more mild.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday 3 January: "Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season.

"The diseases appear to be less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year."