The World Health Organization (WHO) has downplayed worries about the spread of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, citing data from Chinese authorities indicating that hospital utilisation remains lower than the same period last year.
According to WHO epidemiologist Margaret Harris, the pathogens currently causing respiratory infections in China include seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), HMPV, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19. Data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that these are all known viruses.
Seasonal influenza is the most prevalent, with a test positivity rate exceeding 30% at the end of December among patients with flu-like symptoms in outpatient and emergency settings. The WHO noted that the overall levels of respiratory infections in China are consistent with expectations for the winter season.
“HMPV is a common virus that circulates during winter and spring,” Harris said, addressing concerns over its recent rise. “It is not a new virus—it was first identified in 2001 and has been present in the human population for a long time.”
She added that the increase in respiratory infections, including HMPV, is expected during the colder months and that Chinese authorities have not issued any emergency declarations related to the virus.
Reassuring the public, Harris emphasized simple preventive measures to avoid infection, reminding everyone of the lessons learned from managing COVID-19. “The coronavirus has made us well-trained in handling respiratory infections. Basic precautions can help prevent the spread,” she said.
As reported by economictimes, the WHO also highlighted China’s sentinel surveillance system, which monitors influenza-like illnesses and severe respiratory infections, underscoring the importance of vigilance during seasonal peaks.