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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Politics
Helen Davidson in Taipei

HMPV: What is human metapneumovirus, are cases surging in China, and should we be worried?

China Paul Griffin Covid-19 Pandemic Disease
A file photo of a nurse walking past a clock in a Beijing hospital. Cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) are surging in northern China, where there has been an outbreak of the virus.
Cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) are surging in northern China, where there has been an outbreak of the virus. A file photo of a nurse walking past a clock in a Beijing hospital. Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory disease that causes flu or cold-like symptoms, but can increase risks or lead to more serious complications like bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly among the elderly, young children, and immunocompromised people.

The disease is in the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and has been around since at least 2001 when it was first identified in the Netherlands. Its outbreaks are concentrated during colder seasons.

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