A virus without a vaccine is spiking throughout California. Here’s what doctors say you need to know
Yahoo • • health
Key Points:
- Elevated levels of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a seasonal flu virus that can cause pneumonia and bronchitis, have been detected in wastewater across Northern California, with the highest concentrations in Redwood City, San Francisco Bay Area, and Napa’s Wine Country.
- National data from the CDC shows HMPV cases have been increasing since October 2025, particularly in California and the Northeast, as the virus typically circulates during winter and spring.
- HMPV symptoms resemble a common cold but can lead to more severe issues such as ear infections, asthma attacks, and in rare cases, death among vulnerable groups including infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
- Unlike flu and RSV, there are no vaccines available
