Very little is known about this newly described virus of the Paramyxoviridae family. Early data suggest it is genetically most similar to the avian pneumovirus and hence its name.

The virus is a single stranded, RNA, negative sense virus. Early assessments suggest that the virus may be similar to respiratory syncytial virus in having two distinct genotypes and a similar epidemiology. Early data suggest that the virus can cause severe respiratory disease and death, that reinfections may occur and that all ages may be susceptible to infections.

Pubmed entries

Genebank entry

Webcast: The New Human Metapneumovirus by
Albert Osterhaus, University of Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Negative-stain electron micrographs of human metapneumovirus. Center image shows 5 pleomorphic HMPV particles. Note the projections along the periphery of the viruses. The images in
the upper right and lower left corners are, respectively, of the nucleocapsid and filamentous rod–like particle. Staining was done with 2% phosphotungstic acid.

Photograph by Dr. Charles Humphrey of CDC/NCID/IDPA

Published in JID 2002;185:1660-3