You may have heard or read that a virus is spreading rapidly across China, and cases have also been found in India. That’s the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which spiked in China in December 2024 with the onset of winter.
More recently, media outlets globally have begun reporting on its spread, including cases seen in India. However, unlike COVID-19, the virus is nothing new—Malaysia, for instance, saw 200 to over 300 cases in 2023 and 2024.
Here, we explain more about HMPV, its risks, and how health insurance can help.
Table of Contents
What is HMPV and Should You Be Worried?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines HMPV as “one of the viruses that causes the common cold (upper respiratory infection)”. Its effects are usually mild, but some people may be more severely affected as with any infection.
However, this virus is not new and has been around for years. Singapore saw a rise in cases in 2024. According to the Ministry of Health, the rise in respiratory tract infections is seasonal, much like other common respiratory illnesses such as influenza. Year-end travel and social gatherings are also possible reasons for the increase.
Many experts around the world have also stated that cooler weather is also contributing to the increase in HMPV cases.
Like the flu, it is spread from an infected person via droplets from coughing or sneezing, close personal contact, and contact with objects that have the virus on them.
Symptoms and Risks of HMPV
With HMPV classified as a respiratory illness, it produces symptoms similar to the regular flu. These include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Nasal congestion
- Shortness of breath
In severe cases, the virus may progress to bronchitis or pneumonia. Very young children (those under age 2), the elderly, and those with chronic medical conditions and compromised immune systems are more at risk.
How Health Insurance Can Support You During Respiratory Illness Outbreaks
Health insurance ensures you can consult healthcare professionals promptly for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Here’s how different health insurance plans in Singapore can cover medical costs from infectious diseases such as respiratory illnesses.
Personal Accident Plans
Your Personal Accident Plan can provide coverage for medical expenses incurred due to an infectious disease or a lump sum payout if you contract one.
Some Personal Accident Plans in Singapore that may provide coverage for infectious diseases include Income’s PA Assurance, Prudential’s PRUPersonal Accident, FWD’s Personal Accident Insurance, Tiq by Etiqa’s Personal Accident Insurance, Allianz Accident Protect Plus, and AIG.
Note that some policies list the types of infectious diseases they cover, and if your infectious disease is not on the list, you will not be covered.
Travel Insurance
Similar to Personal Accident Plans, Travel Insurance provides coverage against infectious diseases if you contract one while overseas. However, many Travel Insurance plans exclude epidemics and pandemics, which are otherwise considered a “known event.”
Simply put, if you travel when an infectious disease (e.g. H1N1) has been declared a pandemic by the WHO, Singapore government, or other governing bodies, you may not be covered under Travel Insurance. It’s best to check the policy wording or call the insurer for clarity.
Corporate Insurance
Corporate Insurance covers visits to the GP for treatment and medicine in mild cases.
Integrated Shield Plans (IPs)
Integrated Shield Plans or Hospitalisation Plans in Singapore provide coverage for hospital stays in the event that the infectious disease becomes too severe and hospitalisation is required.
Whether you have a Personal Accident Plan, an Integrated Shield Plan or, better yet, both, having a relevant insurance policy helps to minimise your out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatments and medication.
Some plans may also cover vaccinations and regular check-ups, aiding early detection and preventing severe complications.
Preventive Steps to Take to Safeguard Your Health
Fortunately, the lessons from COVID-19 are still fresh in our minds, and many of us are familiar with the practices of what to do when a transmissible virus is present.
Some proactive steps you can take include:
- Practice good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing with soap, wearing masks in crowded places, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and sanitising your hands often.
- Avoid sharing cutlery and utensils with others who are sick.
- Clean contaminated surfaces often.
- Stay at home when you are sick. If you have to go out, wear a mask around others.
- Strengthen immunity through a healthy diet, adequate rest, and exercise.
- Ensure vaccinations are current for other respiratory illnesses to avoid compounding risks.
Stay Informed and Prepared
While it’s beneficial to stay aware of rising health issues like HMPV, it is also prudent to remain calm and not be alarmed. It can be easy to get worried when you see lots of posts on social media or websites, but take in such content with a pinch of salt and trust official government sources regarding such issues.
What you can do is stay prepared with proper health insurance coverage so there’s a safety net to support you if you need it. Not sure if your health insurance includes sufficient coverage? Use our Coverage Checker to find out!
