Background: Human metapneumovirus is a common virus associated with acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) in children. No global burden estimates are available for ALRIs associated with human metapneumovirus in children, and no licensed vaccines or drugs exist for human metapneumovirus infections. We aimed to estimate the age-stratified human metapneumovirus-associated ALRI global incidence, hospital admissions, and mortality burden in children younger than 5 years.

Author List: Wang X, Li Y, Deloria-Knoll M, Madhi SA, Cohen C, Ali A, Basnet S, Bassat Q, Brooks WA, Chittaganpitch M, Echavarria M, Fasce RA, Goswami D, Hirve S, Homaira N, Howie SRC, Kotloff KL, Khuri-Bulos N, Krishnan A, Lucero MG, Lupisan S, Mira- Iglesias A, Moore DP, Moraleda C, Nunes M, Oshitani H, Owor BE, Polack FP, O’Brien KL, Rasmussen ZA, Rath BA, Salimi V, Scott JAG, Simões EAF, Strand TA, Thea DM, Treurnicht FK, Vaccari LC, Yoshida LM, Zar HJ, Campbell H, Nair H; Respiratory Virus Global Epidemiology Network.

Journal Name: Lancet Glob Health. 2021 Jan;9(1):e33-e43. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30393-4. Epub 2020 Nov 26. PMID: 33248481; PMCID: PMC7783516.