Human Metapneumovirus: an emerging threat in respiratory viral infections and a public health concern

Abstract

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a globally circulating respiratory pathogen primarily affecting children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Since its discovery in 2001, HMPV has been increasingly recognized as a significant cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). Despite its clinical burden, no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments exist, and management remains supportive. The resurgence of HMPV and its potential to cause pandemics, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era, highlights the urgent need for improved surveillance and targeted interventions. This systematic review follows PRISMA guidelines, analyzing literature from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science published between 2000 and 2025 to highlight the pandemic potential of HMPV, especially in the post-COVID-19 era, and also to explore key areas where advancements are needed to curtail such pandemics if they may happen. Specifically, we aim to evaluate the diagnostic challenges, as well as recent advances in detection methods, emerging therapeutic strategies, and the evolving epidemiological patterns of HMPV in relation to the virus being a potential threat of causing pandemics. HMPV remains a critical public health concern due to its recurrent outbreaks, recent resurgence, and its potential to cause pandemics. Strengthening diagnostic surveillance, fostering research collaborations, and expediting vaccine development are imperative. Public health preparedness and infection control measures must be reinforced to mitigate HMPV’s impact in the imminent possibility of a global pandemic, as well as its disastrous outcome among high-risk populations in endemic regions.