As HMPV emerges in China, Kuwaiti experts downplay its serious risks

• Dr. Abdullah Behbehani said research shows the HMPV virus causes 10-12% of respiratory infections in children, with most cases being mild and manageable through supportive care despite the lack of a vaccine or antiviral treatment.

• Dr. Fahd Al-Najjar said the HMPV virus causes mild cold-like symptoms but may lead to serious complications, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia, especially in young children.

• Dr. Ghanem Al-Salem said there is no cure for the disease, but symptoms are managed with fever reducers and treatments to ease severe coughing.

China is grappling with a new health challenge as cases of ‘human metapneumovirus’ (HMPV), a respiratory virus, prompt authorities to urge mask-wearing and social distancing. However, specialists have reassured the public that HMPV, discovered in 2001, is not new. It belongs to the same family as ‘respiratory syncytial virus’ (RSV) and the measles virus, with infections typically peaking in winter and early spring, according to Al Rai newspaper.

Specialists explained in separate statements to Al-Rai newspaper that the virus is transmitted in the same ways as other respiratory viruses, including through handshakes, sneezing, coughing, or contact with contaminated surfaces. They noted that it causes inflammatory symptoms in both the upper and lower respiratory tract, ranging from coughing to chronic, long-term cough, which may be accompanied by a high fever and headache.

They emphasized the importance of staying vigilant without panicking and recommended preventive measures such as maintaining personal hygiene and wearing masks in crowded places and said “its symptoms are similar to those of regular influenza.”

Most HMPV cases pose mild threat, says Behbehani

Preventive health physician Dr. Abdullah Behbehani explained that the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), first discovered in the Netherlands in 2001, belongs to the same family as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the measles virus. He noted that infections are more common during winter and early spring.

Behbehani stated, “The virus is transmitted in the same ways as other known respiratory viruses, such as through handshakes, sneezing, coughing, or contact with contaminated surfaces.”

He added, “The most prominent symptoms of the virus include a high fever, coughing, nasal congestion, a runny nose, body aches, and, in some cases, shortness of breath.”

He further pointed out that “the groups most vulnerable to infection are young children, the elderly, individuals with weakened immune systems, and patients with respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Complications may include pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma exacerbations, and other chronic respiratory conditions.”

He stated, “Research and statistics indicate that the virus causes between 10% and 12% of respiratory infections among children. Despite the absence of a specific vaccine or antiviral treatment for it, most infections are mild, and the symptoms and complications can be managed with supportive care.”

Behbehani advised preventing the disease by avoiding contact with infected individuals, thoroughly washing hands, and following proper health etiquette for coughing and sneezing. He emphasized that “the Ministry of Health laboratories are capable of detecting the virus through nasal or throat swabs.”

Al-Najjar urges caution without panic amid HMPV alert

Dr. Fahd Al-Najjar, a consultant in digestive and liver diseases, noted, “China is currently experiencing a rise in respiratory infections, particularly among children under the age of fourteen in northern regions. Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is one of the primary contributors to this spread.”

Al-Najjar explained, “This respiratory virus typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms such as coughing, fever, nasal congestion, headache, and fatigue. However, in some cases—especially in young children—it may lead to serious complications, including bronchiolitis or pneumonia.”

Regarding the rise in hospital admissions attributed to this mysterious virus in China, he noted, “Chinese health authorities have denied the existence of a new mysterious virus, emphasizing that the current increase in respiratory illnesses is due to known viruses, such as human metapneumovirus, which typically surges during winter.”

Al-Najjar stressed “the importance of staying vigilant without panicking and adopting preventive measures, such as maintaining personal hygiene, wearing masks in crowded places, and seeking medical care when symptoms appear.”

He added that “treatment focuses on managing symptoms, including the use of fever-reducing medications and treatments for coughs, especially as no vaccine is currently available for this virus and said its incubation period lasts for up to seven days before symptoms appear.”

HMPV poses risks to elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses, warns Dr. Ghanem Al-Salem

Internal medicine consultant Dr. Ghanem Al-Salem referred to recent announcements by Chinese health authorities regarding an increase in hospital visits to emergency rooms and clinics, reminiscent of the surge seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. He explained that “the rising numbers are due to respiratory symptoms caused by a virus known to humans for some time, called human metapneumovirus (HMPV).”

Al-Salem stated, “This virus causes inflammatory symptoms in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, ranging from coughing and chronic cough to high fever and headache. In some cases, it can progress to lower respiratory tract inflammation, leading to pneumonia.”

He added, “The incubation period of this virus ranges from three to seven days, after which symptoms appear and may persist for an extended period, varying from patient to patient. Those at higher risk, whose conditions may require hospitalization, intensive care, or could result in death, include individuals with weakened immunity, such as the elderly, those with chronic diseases, and children.”

Al-Salem clarified that “this virus belongs to a different family than the COVID-19 virus. It is a single-stranded RNA virus classified as part of the avian virus family, previously associated with bird flu.”

He explained, “The virus spreads through droplets, coughing, or touching unclean hands, or by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces.”

He added, “There is no cure for this disease; instead, symptoms are managed. If the patient has a high fever, a fever reducer is administered, and if the cough is severe, appropriate treatment is given to lessen its intensity. Additionally, fluids are provided if signs of dehydration appear.”

He pointed out, “There is no vaccine for the virus yet. Therefore, the best and safest ways to avoid infection are washing hands, wearing a mask, and avoiding enclosed, crowded spaces, because prevention is better than cure.”