Recently, human metapneumovirus infection (HMPV), a respiratory infection exhibiting symptoms such as fever and cough, is prevalent in China, but in South Korea, the occurrence of patients appears to be at a normal level.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency noted on the 8th that “recent increases in occurrences abroad of HMPV are reported, and it is a common virus globally,” adding that “within the country, no significant trends related to HMPV have been observed, as no substantial outbreaks beyond normal levels have been detected.”
HMPV is a common virus worldwide that spreads through respiratory droplets, contact with secretions from infected individuals, or contaminated objects. Symptoms upon infection are similar to those of a cold, including fever, cough, phlegm, runny nose, and nasal congestion.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, except during the COVID-19 pandemic, HMPV has been circulating at certain levels annually among children and the elderly in South Korea. HMPV infections account for 2-3% of respiratory infections in children under 5 years old.
However, in South Korea, the number of patients hospitalized due to HMPV infection has increased over the past four weeks. The acute respiratory infection patient monitoring conducted by the Agency recorded 83 hospitalizations in week 49, 82 in week 50, 144 in week 51, and 180 in week 52. Out of the 489 hospitalized patients in the last four weeks, nearly half, 48.5% (237 patients), were aged 0-6 years. This was followed by those aged 65 and older at 20.4% (100 patients), ages 7-12 at 18.2% (89 patients), and ages 50-64 at 5.7% (28 patients).
HMPV can cause severe lower respiratory infections, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and is treated with symptomatic relief such as antipyretics or fluids. Experts explain that since it is not a novel respiratory infection like the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), there is no need for undue fear.
In South Korea, the influenza virus known as type A flu is currently prevalent, more so than HMPV. According to recent hospital pathogen monitoring by the Agency, the detection rate of influenza virus surged from 9.3% in week 49 to 50.9% in week 52 over the past four weeks. The detection rate of HMPV increased from 3.2% in week 49 to 5.3% in week 52.
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Director Ji Young-mi said, “In a situation where influenza is spreading significantly, an increase in HMPV infection follows RSV infection, requiring continued caution,” emphasizing the importance of practicing basic respiratory infection prevention measures such as handwashing before and after outings, practicing cough etiquette, wearing masks when respiratory symptoms arise, and providing indoor ventilation for at least 10 minutes every 2 hours.
The Agency emphasized that especially in facilities for infants and toddlers, to prevent collective occurrences of respiratory infections during the winter, restrictions should be placed on the attendance of staff and young children exhibiting respiratory symptoms, while adhering to infection control principles such as regular ventilation, wearing masks, and prohibiting the shared use of personal items.