BEIJING — A health official reported on Sunday that the spread of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which resembles the flu, is decreasing in northern China, addressing rising international concerns regarding a possible pandemic.
HMPV is known to cause symptoms similar to those of the flu or the common cold, such as fevers, coughs, and nasal congestion. Most individuals tend to recover without needing medical intervention; however, the virus can lead to more serious respiratory infections among vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
“Human metapneumovirus is not a novel virus and has been part of the human population for multiple decades,” stated Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during a briefing organized by China’s National Health Commission.
She highlighted that the rise in reported cases over the past few years, first identified in the Netherlands in 2001, is largely attributed to advancements in detection technologies.
“Currently, the detection rate of positive HMPV cases is experiencing fluctuations, but we are witnessing a decline in positive cases in northern provinces, especially among children aged 14 and below,” Wang noted.
Recently, alarm was raised about the increase in HMPV infections, fueled by social media images showing overwhelmed hospitals filled with masked individuals. However, the World Health Organization confirmed it has not received any notifications of unusual outbreaks in China or elsewhere.
Experts have pointed out that HMPV differs from COVID-19, as it has circulated among humans for generations, resulting in a level of natural immunity within the population. The majority of children contract HMPV by the time they reach the age of five.
Wang also stressed that existing respiratory illnesses affecting the population are due to known pathogens and there have been no new infectious diseases appearing.
While there has been an uptick in patients visiting fever clinics and emergency departments across the nation, the numbers are still generally lower compared to the corresponding period of last year, according to Gao Xinqiang, deputy director of the Department of Medical Emergency Response of the health commission.
“There is no significant shortage of medical resources,” Gao remarked.
According to spokesperson Hu Qiangqiang from the health commission, flu infections nationwide are predicted to gradually decrease by mid to late January.
As there are currently no vaccines or treatments specifically for HMPV, health experts advise individuals to adopt preventive measures. These include frequent handwashing, avoiding crowded areas when possible, and wearing masks in busy places.
HMPV is known to cause symptoms similar to those of the flu or the common cold, such as fevers, coughs, and nasal congestion. Most individuals tend to recover without needing medical intervention; however, the virus can lead to more serious respiratory infections among vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
“Human metapneumovirus is not a novel virus and has been part of the human population for multiple decades,” stated Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during a briefing organized by China’s National Health Commission.
She highlighted that the rise in reported cases over the past few years, first identified in the Netherlands in 2001, is largely attributed to advancements in detection technologies.
“Currently, the detection rate of positive HMPV cases is experiencing fluctuations, but we are witnessing a decline in positive cases in northern provinces, especially among children aged 14 and below,” Wang noted.
Recently, alarm was raised about the increase in HMPV infections, fueled by social media images showing overwhelmed hospitals filled with masked individuals. However, the World Health Organization confirmed it has not received any notifications of unusual outbreaks in China or elsewhere.
Experts have pointed out that HMPV differs from COVID-19, as it has circulated among humans for generations, resulting in a level of natural immunity within the population. The majority of children contract HMPV by the time they reach the age of five.
Wang also stressed that existing respiratory illnesses affecting the population are due to known pathogens and there have been no new infectious diseases appearing.
While there has been an uptick in patients visiting fever clinics and emergency departments across the nation, the numbers are still generally lower compared to the corresponding period of last year, according to Gao Xinqiang, deputy director of the Department of Medical Emergency Response of the health commission.
“There is no significant shortage of medical resources,” Gao remarked.
According to spokesperson Hu Qiangqiang from the health commission, flu infections nationwide are predicted to gradually decrease by mid to late January.
As there are currently no vaccines or treatments specifically for HMPV, health experts advise individuals to adopt preventive measures. These include frequent handwashing, avoiding crowded areas when possible, and wearing masks in busy places.
