HMPV virus is spreading in China - should we be concerned?

Five years after the first recorded cases of Covid-19, China is facing a surge in the number of cases of another respiratory virus.

Identified as human metapneumovirus (HMPV), an increase in cases in northern provinces of China has led to a public health emergency, with children most vulnerable. The World Health Organisation has yet to issue global guidance, while government officials in Beijing said rising infections were a result of the winter season.

HMPV is not a new virus but causes similar symptoms to influenza and other respiratory viruses circulating at this time of year. It has been reported that emergency measures have been put in place in some hospitals in China to manage the spread of HMPV infections.

Cases have been reported in Hong Kong, while in India pregnant women, the elderly and immunocompromised people have been advised to wear masks by Kerala Health Minister Veena George. The latest viral outbreak comes five years after the first cases of Covid-19 were reported around the world, that later evolved into a global pandemic claiming more than seven million lives.

Respiratory viruses usually spread more widely during winter, with vaccination campaigns for influenza introduced across the UAE in October to restrict the spread of infections similar to HMPV. In the UK, NHS data showed cases of flu increased during the Christmas and New Year period, with more than 5,000 patients in hospital in the first week of 2025 – three-and-a-half times higher than the same period in 2024.

A motorcyclist next to the Yangtze River in Wuhan just before the fifth anniversary of China confirming its first death from Covid-19. AFP

According to the NHS, there was also an average of 74 children with RSV in hospital every day in early January, up almost 50 per cent for the same period in 2023. A further 1,184 beds were occupied by patients with Covid-19 a day on average, UK health officials said.

“These latest figures show the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the New Year, skyrocketing to over 5,000 cases a day in hospital as of the end of last week and rising at a very concerning rate,” said Prof Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care. “On top of flu there is also continual pressure from Covid, while RSV and norovirus hospital cases are also higher than last year.”

What is HMPV and how is it transmitted?

The human metapneumovirus was identified in 2001 by scientists in the Netherlands, although it is believed to have been circulating globally for at least 50 years. Similar to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), HMPV can cause respiratory tract infections in patients of all ages, but children and the elderly are most vulnerable. The virus is passed on through close contact with those infected, or direct contact with their secretions. Symptoms usually begin three to five days after exposure.

What are the symptoms and how can they be treated?

Mild symptoms are similar to other respiratory viruses and include sore throat and fever, a cough, runny nose or nasal congestion. In more severe cases, breathing difficulties and pneumonia can develop. Treatment varies with the severity of symptoms, with medication to reduce fever, antihistamines and breathing treatments bringing effective relief.

When is HMPV passed on?

Cases usually develop in winter, and while there is limited data on reinfection rates it is understood a repeat infection results in milder symptoms. As with other respiratory infections like influenza or Covid-19, covering the mouth and nose when sneezing can prevent further infections, and regular hand washing.

War on waste

Campaigners call for UAE supermarkets to charge for plastic bags

UAE's takeaway culture sparks environmental concern

How to get there

Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.

While you're here

Why do we shy away from talking about a politician's religion?

What does a decline in adherence to faith say about Britain?

Here's why even the non-believers must understand faith

Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

10 tips for entry-level job seekers

Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.

Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

More about Middle East geopolitics

The future of the Middle East may be determined by the US ballots

Women are rising in Middle East politics

For the Middle East, Biden is no Obama

Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

UAE currency

FROM%20THE%20ASHES

%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry

Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm

Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

PROFILE

Name: Enhance Fitness

Year started: 2018

Based: UAE

Employees: 200

Amount raised: $3m

Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors

How to apply for a drone permit

Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request

What are the regulations?

Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
Should have a live feed of the drone flight
Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

GCC-UK%20Growth

%3Cp%3EAn%20FTA%20with%20the%20GCC%20would%20be%20very%20significant%20for%20the%20UK.%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20My%20Department%20has%20forecast%20that%20it%20could%20generate%20an%20additional%20%C2%A31.6%20billion%20a%20year%20for%20our%20economy.%3Cbr%3EWith%20consumer%20demand%20across%20the%20GCC%20predicted%20to%20increase%20to%20%C2%A3800%20billion%20by%202035%20this%20deal%20could%20act%20as%20a%20launchpad%20from%20which%20our%20firms%20can%20boost%20their%20market%20share.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

SPECS

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206-cylinder%203-litre%2C%20with%20petrol%20and%20diesel%20variants%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20286hp%20(petrol)%2C%20249hp%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E450Nm%20(petrol)%2C%20550Nm%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EStarting%20at%20%2469%2C800%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A