Prime Highlights:
The rate of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections in northern China is on the decline, according to Chinese health authorities.
HMPV, a virus related to the respiratory syncytial virus, causes flu-like symptoms and is not a new threat.
Key Background:
In a recent update, Chinese health officials confirmed a decrease in the rate of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections across northern China, addressing concerns sparked by images circulating online of crowded hospitals overwhelmed by patients. Wang Liping, a researcher with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provided the latest insights during a press briefing by the National Health Commission on January 12, 2025.
HMPV, which is part of the same virus family as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), typically causes symptoms resembling the flu or common cold, such as fever, cough, and nasal congestion. In most cases, the symptoms resolve on their own. However, in vulnerable populations such as young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, HMPV can lead to more severe lower respiratory tract infections.
The virus, first identified in the Netherlands in 2001, has been circulating among humans for several decades. While its overall presence has increased in recent years, better detection methods have contributed to this rise, according to Wang. Despite the uptick, she assured the public that the virus is not new and there is some degree of immunity in the population, particularly among children, most of whom are infected by the age of five.
In response to concerns over the surge in infections, particularly in northern provinces, Wang stated that the rate of positive HMPV cases has begun to decline, including among younger patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) also reassured the public that it had not received reports of any unusual outbreaks linked to the virus.
Medical resources in China, although under pressure due to rising fever clinic visits, are not in short supply, as confirmed by Gao Xinqiang, deputy director of the Department of Medical Emergency Response. He emphasized that the number of patients is still lower compared to the same period last year. Health experts continue to recommend preventive measures such as frequent handwashing, mask-wearing in crowded spaces, and avoiding large gatherings to curb the spread of respiratory diseases, including HMPV.
