Human metapneumovirus is the virus India is talking about (that you've already had)

Hi friends,

I had resisted the urge to write about this for sometime now, but the media frenzy finally got to me.

Remember that moment in 2020 when every cough made you wonder? Well, social media is buzzing again. Your WhatsApp groups might be lighting up with worried messages, and those "first case detected!" headlines are probably giving you panic attacks.

Something called human metapneumovirus (or hMPV) is all over Indian news and I can’t keep quiet any longer. Some outlets are counting cases live and predicting lockdowns.

Is hMPV really “the next big threat”?

Give me a break.

But before I unpack the facts I want to let you know that I’ve created a new newsletter for thoughts on life, the universe, and everything in between. Have you signed up yet? No?

Still time to hop onboard before the train leaves the cosmic station. Only takes a moment.

Ok, new gig promoted. Where was I? Right…

What exactly Is hMPV?

Discovered in 2001 by Dutch scientists, hMPV has been around for decades, possibly longer. Like other common respiratory viruses (e.g., RSV, influenza), it typically causes mild cold-like symptoms (the usual cough, runny nose, and low-grade fever) in most healthy individuals.

Also, hMPV circulates in predictable seasonal waves. In colder regions (like most of China), it’s often seen in winter.

The key takeaway here is that you and I have almost certainly been infected by hMPV (and probably more than once) without realizing it.

Why has there been a spike in China and in headlines?

Improved testing and surveillance, for one. We’re now looking more closely for respiratory viruses than ever before. So yes, we’re detecting hMPV more, but it’s not “new.”

The fact that India is identifying hMPV infections means the country is improving its virus-monitoring capabilities and this is a critical step for public health preparedness.

Recent reports of increased hMPV cases in China have been exaggerated, since surveillance data shows levels within the usual range for the season, with influenza being the dominant respiratory illness.

But behind it all there’s media sensationalism too. Hints of “lockdowns” or “COVID-like” threats stir up attention and fear, even when science tells us otherwise.

I’m not saying everyone should ignore the virus. Older adults, the very young, and people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to complications. Those above 65, children under 5, and individuals with health conditions should be cautious during peak seasons.

And handwashing, wearing masks in crowded spaces, and staying home when you’re ill can reduce all respiratory infections, not just hMPV.

However, the overwhelming majority of healthy people experience only mild illness.

In short, hMPV is NOT poised to cause a pandemic because widespread immunity already exists.

So, here’s the bottom line, hMPV is not a novel or high-lethality virus. Media headlines seem scary, but the science points to an endemic cold-like virus that we’ve long lived with.

That’s it for now. Subscribe below

Share this with someone who sends you scary, mindless WhatsApp forwards. Of course, they’re not going to read it. But maybe you will get fewer forwards.

PS- If you want to read one of the most highly cited medical papers on the virus, it’s here. Wired has a pretty good article with recent details in accessible language- its well written and not alarmist.