hMPV cases in Alberta rising but still below historical average, province says

A man coughing into his arm. (Pexels) ((Pexels))

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) cases are increasing slightly in Alberta, but the province says the current test positivity rate is lower than average.

hMPV, a flu-like respiratory virus, made headlines in China last week after a surge in cases in the northern region. Over the weekend, Chinese health officials announced the rate of infections in the area is declining.

“Alberta Health is aware of reports out of China of widespread circulation,” a spokesperson with the office of the Minister of Health said in an emailed statement.

“China is currently experiencing a significant respiratory virus season, but this is a combination of influenza, RSV, COVID-19, hMPV, among others, as hMPV is a virus that tends to circulate along with other viruses throughout the season.”

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For the current week of data available, up to Jan. 4, there were 1,700 hMPV tests conducted in Alberta, with a positivity rate of 2.2 per cent.

There have been 23,796 tests conducted this respiratory virus season in Alberta.

“Currently, test positivity for hMPV in Alberta is increasing slightly, however, it is lower than the historical average at this time,” the statement read.

hMPV infections have symptoms similar to other respiratory viruses—including cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, and fever—that can generally be managed at home, according to the province.

Concerns surfaced over a surge in hMPV infections in northern China after images circulated online of hospitals overrun with masked patients. The World Health Organization said it has not received reports of unusual outbreaks in China or elsewhere.

Experts say hMPV is unlike COVID-19 in that it has been around for decades and there is some built-in immunity to it. Most children are infected with the virus by the age of five.

Flu shots down in 2024-25

Uptake of the influenza vaccination in Alberta is at its lowest rate in 15 years.

As of Jan. 4, 964,790 doses of the influenza vaccine have been administered in Alberta, accounting for 20 per cent of the population.

That mark is the lowest vaccination percentage in the province since 2010-11, which also saw 20 per cent of vaccine coverage.

Vaccination rates have been trending down each year after hitting a high of 37 per cent in 2020-21. Over the course of the 2023-24 campaign, 25 per cent of the province received a flu shot.

This year, the province has recorded 3,145 influenza cases. Last week, there were 177 people in hospital with the flu, including 19 in ICU, and six flu-related deaths.

With files from The Associated Press