NIH confirms HMPV in Pakistan since 2001 as China faces surge

ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed that human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is currently causing a surge in infections in China, has been present in Pakistan for more than two decades. According to NIH officials, the virus was first detected in Pakistan in 2001.
A recent wave of HMPV infections has raised concerns in China, where authorities have intensified screening, detection, and isolation efforts to combat the spread of the virus. HMPV primarily affects children aged 14 and under, though the exact risk level for those infected remains unclear.
In Pakistan, NIH records show that 21 cases of HMPV were reported in Islamabad as early as 2015. Medical experts have noted a steady pattern of HMPV cases in recent years, although the World Health Organization (WHO) has not issued any specific advisory on the virus.
Health officials have highlighted that HMPV is part of the broader category of respiratory viruses. Meanwhile, cases of seasonal influenza, particularly influenza A and B, are also on the rise in Pakistan.
An NIH spokesperson revealed that a meeting of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) to discuss HMPV developments in China has been scheduled for January 7. Authorities will assess the potential implications for Pakistan and explore any necessary preventive strategies.
Internationally, HMPV was first identified in 2000. Despite its spread, there have been no significant changes in the disease's severity. In the United States, the virus affects around 20,000 children under five each year. Health experts recommend adopting preventive measures similar to those used for COVID-19, including frequent handwashing, mask-wearing, and avoiding crowded spaces, to mitigate the spread of HMPV.