Obscure Respiratory Illness Detected In NJ: What To Know

Joining the likes of RSV, COVID, and influenza this season in New Jersey is a little-known respiratory illness called human metapneumovirus (HMPV).

The virus, discovered in 2001, is known for causing infections in both the upper and lower respiratory systems and sometimes leading to bronchiolitis and pneumonia, according to the National Library of Medicine.

According to the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) Respiratory Surveillance Report, around four percent of tested New Jersey residents were positive for HMPV in the week through Feb. 21, the same percentage of people who tested positive for COVID that week.

For comparison, 0.6 percent of tested New Jersey residents were positive for HMPV in the same week in 2025.

It’s worth noting that experts say this data usually underrepresents the actual number of cases, as many go unreported.

What is HMPV?

HMPV is a virus that typically spreads through the air via coughing or sneezing, or via contact with a person or item carrying the virus.

Symptoms are similar to those of COVID and RSV, including cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While HMPV can be contracted at any time of year, most cases are reported in the winter and spring months, according to health officials.

Most cases are mild, but like many viruses, the elderly and extremely young (0-4) are at an increased risk for severe illness, experts say.

The CDC says serious complications of HMPV can include:

• Asthma attack and reactive airway disease (wheezing, difficulty breathing)

• Middle ear infections (infection behind the eardrum)

• Bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways)
• Pneumonia

• Croup ("barking" cough)

• Fever

HMPV Prevention

Health experts recommend basic precautions such as washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces.

Here are some prevention tips provided by the CDC:

• Practice good hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness).
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
• Learn and use proper handwashing techniques. Frequent handwashing is especially important in childcare settings and healthcare facilities.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs, regularly.

• Take steps for cleaner air.

• When you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, take steps to prevent spread.

Health care providers can test for the virus, but there is no vaccine to prevent it.