In response to growing global concerns, Chinese health officials announced on Sunday that the number of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in northern China is now on the decline. The respiratory virus, which often causes mild cold-like symptoms, has been circulating in human populations for decades and typically peaks during the winter months.
Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, confirmed that HMPV is not a new virus, having been identified in humans since the 1970s, with its first detection in the Netherlands in 2001. Wang explained that the recent uptick in reported cases is largely due to improved detection methods, which have made it easier to identify the virus. She further noted that the rate of positive HMPV cases in northern China has been fluctuating, with a decline in cases observed among patients aged 14 and under.
Despite a rise in patients seeking treatment at fever clinics and emergency departments, Gao Xinqiang, deputy director of the Department of Medical Emergency Response, reassured the public that the number of patients is still lower than at the same time last year, and there is no significant shortage of medical resources.
While HMPV causes symptoms similar to the common cold, it can lead to more severe illness in infants or individuals with weakened immune systems. The virus accounts for 4-16% of acute respiratory infections globally and typically peaks between November and May. Experts point out that unlike COVID-19, HMPV has been part of human populations for decades, meaning many people have built-in immunity.
Concerns arose recently due to images circulating online that showed crowded hospitals in northern China, leading to speculation of a surge in infections. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that it has not received reports of any unusual outbreaks of HMPV in China or elsewhere.
Currently, there are no vaccines or specific treatments for HMPV, but most children are infected by the age of 5, developing natural immunity in the process.
