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A potentially deadly respiratory virus that few people even know exists is surging in Australia, with at least 1,168 people infected last week in NSW alone. Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in all age groups, but it poses a greater danger to young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Though it usually causes a mild infection similar to the common cold - with nasal congestion, coughs, shortness of breath and a fever - complications can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia and can be fatal, especially among those who are immunocompromised, such as...

A deadly virus that few people even know exists is causing misery across intensive care units and pediatric hospitals, doctors warn. High rates of Covid, flu and even RSV during winter led to hospitals overflowing during winter during a situation dubbed a 'tripledemic'. But cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which can cause bronchitis and pneumonia, shot up to record levels in spring, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s respiratory virus surveillance systems. It may partly explain why so many people tested negative for flu and Covid in recent months despite showing symptoms. Dr John Williams, a pediatrician...

New kids' respiratory virus June 3, 2003 Infectious disease researchers have isolated a new respiratory virus in children. But unlike the other respiratory virus making news - Sars, or severe acute respiratory syndrome - this virus appears to have been around for years. Dubbed human metapneumovirus (hMPV), the virus was first discovered two years ago in the Netherlands. Since then, it has been found in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and now, the United States. According to Dr Steven Korsman, a virologist from the University of Stellenbosch's Virology Department, no cases of this new virus have been documented in South...