After the HMPV virus outbreak in China, India reported five cases on Monday, January 6. As concerns grow about whether this COVID-like virus could lead to a pandemic, one crucial fact is coming to light: despite being first discovered in 2001-24 years ago a vaccine for HMPV has yet to be developed.

According to the Karnataka Directorate of Medical Education's latest advisory states, "There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV." The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) also confirms that, at present, no vaccine or medication is effective against HMPV. Treatment mainly focuses on relieving symptoms.

HMPV was first discovered by Dutch researchers in 2001, when they identified it in mucus samples from children with respiratory infections caused by unknown pathogens, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite being recognized 24 years ago, there is still no vaccine available for HMPV.

There is no HMPV vaccine yet because, despite several 'in vitro' (controlled) and animal studies investigating its development, no human studies have been conducted. According to the study "Human Metapneumovirus in Adults" published by the National Library of Medicine, these limitations have prevented the creation of a vaccine so far.

The journal also points out that while studies in rodent and non-human primate models showed promising results, very little research has been done with human volunteers. As a result, a vaccine for HMPV has not yet been developed.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's respiratory virus surveillance systems reported a spike in HMPV cases in the US during the Spring of 2023. CNN noted that most individuals who contracted the virus probably weren’t aware they had it.

A 59-year-old woman, Diane Davison, was diagnosed with the HMPV virus two weeks after contracting it. Speaking to CNN, Davison described how her violent coughing fits were so severe that she felt like she was about to vomit. Initially, she believed she had COVID-19, but after six negative COVID tests and several blood tests, she discovered she was infected with HMPV.