Metapneumovirus

Metapneumovirus
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) structure and genome
Virus classification
(unranked):	Virus
Realm:	Riboviria
Kingdom:	Orthornavirae
Phylum:	Negarnaviricota
Class:	Monjiviricetes
Order:	Mononegavirales
Family:	Pneumoviridae
Genus:	Metapneumovirus
Species [1]
Metapneumovirus avis Metapneumovirus hominis

Metapneumovirus is a genus of viruses in the family Pneumoviridae . ^{[1] [2]}

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality, especially for patients with immunodeficiency as well as and older adults. ^[3]

Taxonomy

The genus contains the following two species, listed by scientific name and followed by the exemplar virus of the species: ^[1]

• Metapneumovirus avis, Avian metapneumovirus
• Metapneumovirus hominis, Human metapneumovirus

Other species

By ″reverse zoonosis″ the virus can be passed from humans to other primates, like Chimpanzees. Necropsy proved that these infections can also end deadly for the animals, as stated in Nature (2024). ^[4]

References

1. "Virus Taxonomy: 2024 Release". International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
2. "History of the taxon: Genus: Metapneumovirus (2024 Release, MSL #40)". International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
3. Phan, Thomas; Bao, Xiaoyong. "Recent vaccine development for human metapneumovirus". Journal of General Virology. 97 (7). Microbiology Society: 1515–1520. doi:10.1099/vir.0.000083.
4. Nuwer, Rachel (16 January 2024). "Chimpanzees are dying from our colds — these scientists are trying to save them". Nature. Retrieved 6 October 2025.