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In March, several residents in San Benito and Monterey counties reported suffering from a respiratory illness that hit them hard and persisted. They said their temperatures would spike and drop several times over a couple of weeks as their energy ebbed and flowed.
Some of them were diagnosed with the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HMPV was discovered in 2011 and like the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is in the Pneumoviridae family.
According to UC Davis reporting, WastewaterSCAN data, which tracks pathogens in wastewater,” has shown high levels of HMPV in Northern California, including in Sacramento, Davis, Vallejo and San Francisco.
San Benito County Public Health Pharmacist Mary White said HMPV is seasonal like RSV and the flu, most commonly showing up between autumn and spring and mostly infecting children up to fours years old as well as the elderly.
White said there was a slight increase in diagnosed cases of HMPV through the Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital lab this season. She added that the diagnosed cases are not a true indication of infection rates because many of those infected do not get tested or are tested elsewhere.
According to the CDC, an HMPV infection can usually be confirmed by:
- Molecular assays (nucleic acid amplification tests)
- Antigen tests (including rapid diagnostic tests and immunofluorescent assays)
The CDC website states HMPV symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. In some people, these symptoms can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia. The symptoms of HMPV can be similar to symptoms of other viruses that cause upper and lower respiratory infections.
Complications
More severe illness is less common but can include:
- Asthma attack and reactive airway disease (wheezing, difficulty breathing)
- Middle ear infections (infection behind the ear drum)
- Bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways)
- Croup (“barking” cough)
- Fever
In adults, HMPV infection may complicate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pneumonia may occur in older adults or people with weakened immune systems.
White said the best way to prevent infection and spread is to wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes.
CDC recommends rest and fluids while infected.
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