A virus that can cause 'barking' cough is on the rise in Northern California

"According to recent WastewaterSCAN data, concentrations of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, are high in San Francisco, Marin, Vallejo, Napa, Novato, Santa Rosa, Sacramento and Davis. The respiratory illness, which typically lasts from winter through spring, causes familiar symptoms like cough, fever and congestion, and spreads through contaminated surfaces, the air and person-to-person contact."

"Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at UC San Francisco, said that because COVID-19 was "quieter" this season, "other viruses like influenza and HMPV are getting their chance." These illnesses "compete with each other," she explained. "When we had big COVID surges, we saw really low rates of other common cold viruses.""

"This is because HMPV is an RNA virus, a type of virus that also includes COVID-19 and typically thrives in cold environments. As people crowd together indoors, the virus spreads much more rapidly, Gandhi explained. In California, however, mild weather and consistent ventilation can help keep them at bay."

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) concentrations are elevated across Northern California cities including San Francisco, Sacramento, and Davis. This respiratory virus typically circulates from winter through spring, causing cough, fever, and congestion through contaminated surfaces, air, and person-to-person contact. While generally mild in healthy children, HMPV can cause bronchiolitis and croup, characterized by a distinctive barking cough. The virus is spreading more readily as COVID-19 activity decreases, allowing other respiratory viruses to circulate. HMPV is an RNA virus thriving in cold environments where people gather indoors. The Midwest and Northeast experience the highest rates nationally. Prevention includes staying home when sick, handwashing, and surface cleaning.

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