In Ukraine, HMPV circulation among the population is recorded. During the current epidemic season of 2024-2025, as of January 5, 2025, HMPV was detected in 14 people, of whom 2 were aged 0-4 years, 7 were aged 5-14 years, 4 were aged 30-64 years, and 1 was aged 65 and older.
In Kharkiv region, since the beginning of the epidemic season, 2 cases of metapneumovirus infection have been registered among children aged 5-14. The patients were hospitalized and received appropriate treatment.
Although there is reasonable speculation that human metapneumovirus mutated from avian metapneumovirus, there is serological evidence that human metapneumovirus has been widely distributed in the human population since at least 1958. It is the cause of up to 51% of acute respiratory infections and 121% of pneumonias in people under 20 years of age.
During this and the previous epidemic season, no deaths due to infection caused by metapneumovirus were recorded - all patients received medical care and recovered.
As of today, there is no trend towards the development of an outbreak caused by metapneumovirus in Ukraine.
Features of infection
Metapneumovirus is characterized by seasonality, as are other respiratory viruses. However, HMPV circulation begins mainly in winter and continues until spring.
HMPV infection is usually mild, but HMPV infection in the elderly, with underlying medical conditions, leads to increased severity of the disease. The incubation period is 3 to 6 days.
High-risk groups
Although anyone can get HMPV, those at higher risk include: newborns; children under 5 years of age; people over 65 years of age; people with asthma, those taking steroids, those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), those with immunodeficiencies due to HIV, malignancies, or those who have had an organ transplant.
The virus is largely spread through close contact with an infected person (through the air).
Symptoms
HMPV infection most commonly presents with upper respiratory symptoms such as rhinorrhea (runny nose), cough, or fever. Lower respiratory tract diseases that can be caused by HMPV include bronchiolitis, pneumonia, croup, and asthma exacerbations.
Human infection with metapneumovirus causes a wide range of respiratory manifestations, ranging from mild to severe.
It is characterized by an acute or, less commonly, subacute onset, a combination of catarrhal manifestations (cough, runny nose, etc.), symptoms of intoxication (fever, body aches), shortness of breath, physical changes in the lungs, and less commonly, dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.
Bronchitis or pneumonia often occurs in adults. Its course in children has some age-related characteristics: up to 1 year, bronchiolitis is often accompanied by expiratory shortness of breath and bronchial obstruction, in those older than 3 years, symptoms of intoxication and high fever predominate.
When should you see a doctor for a diagnosis?
- If symptoms last more than 7-10 days or worsen.
- If there is a high temperature that does not go down.
- In case of severe shortness of breath, wheezing, or blue skin.
Specific prevention has not been developed.
Non-specific prevention involves the same measures as for other acute respiratory viral infections. The most effective preventive measures are:
1) wash your hands regularly with soap;
2) avoid contact with sick people;
3) follow cough etiquette (cover your mouth with a tissue or the crook of your elbow);
4) periodically ventilate the room.