The Decline in HMPV Infections in Northern China, Chinese Health Official States

The rate of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections in northern China is declining, a health official said Sunday, despite some international concerns about a potential pandemic. HMPV, which belongs to the same family as the respiratory syncytial virus, causes flu- or cold-like symptoms, including fever, cough, and nasal congestion. While these symptoms typically resolve on their own, the virus can lead to lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

“The human metapneumovirus is not a new virus; it has been circulating in humans for several decades,” said Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during a press briefing by China’s National Health Commission.

Wang explained that the recent increase in HMPV cases, first identified in the Netherlands in 2001, is largely due to improved detection methods.

“At the moment, the rate of positive cases from HMPV detection is fluctuating, but the rate in northern provinces is decreasing, and the rate among patients aged 14 and under has begun to decline,” she said.

Concerns arose in recent days after images circulated online showing overcrowded hospitals filled with masked patients. However, the World Health Organization stated that it has not received reports of unusual outbreaks in China or elsewhere.

Experts note that HMPV differs from COVID-19 in that it has been present for decades, leading to some pre-existing immunity in the population. Most children are infected with the virus by the age of 5.

Wang emphasized that the respiratory illnesses currently affecting people in China are caused by known pathogens, and no new infectious diseases have emerged.

The number of patients visiting fever clinics and emergency departments across the country has been rising, though it remains generally lower than during the same period last year, said Gao Xinqiang, deputy director of the Department of Medical Emergency Response of the health commission.

“There is no significant shortage of medical resources,” Gao added.

Flu infections across the country are expected to gradually decline in mid-to-late January, said commission spokesperson Hu Qiangqiang.

There are currently no vaccines or specific treatments available for HMPV. Experts recommend general precautions to avoid catching the virus and other respiratory illnesses, including frequent handwashing, avoiding crowded places when possible, and wearing masks in densely populated areas.