New Delhi, Jan 13 (NationPress) The incidence of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory condition, is on the decline in the northern regions of China, according to official statements.
Wang Liping, a researcher affiliated with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, reassured that HMPV is a virus that has been known for several decades, attributing the recent surge in reported cases to enhanced detection capabilities.
“Currently, the rate of positive cases identified through human metapneumovirus testing is experiencing fluctuations, with a noticeable decrease in the northern regions,” Liping stated during a press briefing conducted by China’s National Health Commission.
“We've observed a decline in the positivity rate among patients aged 14 and younger,” she further mentioned.
Liping highlighted that the increase in reported cases in recent years, since the virus was first identified in the Netherlands in 2001, is largely due to improved detection technologies.
“The human metapneumovirus is not a new entity; it has coexisted with humans for at least several decades,” Liping emphasized.
In the past, multiple images and videos circulated on social media depicted overcrowded hospitals in China amid a surge in HMPV cases — raising alarms about a potential pandemic similar to Covid-19. However, the Chinese government has characterized this as a typical winter phenomenon.
“Respiratory infections are known to peak during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere. Recently, the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration of China held a press conference to provide insights into the management of respiratory diseases during the winter season,” stated China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
“The severity and spread of these diseases appear to be milder and more contained compared to the previous year,” Ning remarked.
On another note, India has reported approximately 10 cases, primarily from the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Assam. Most cases have been among children, ranging from infants aged 3 months to 13 years.
HMPV was initially identified in 2001 and belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
This virus can cause both upper and lower respiratory infections in individuals of all ages, with young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems being particularly vulnerable.
Common symptoms associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath.
Preventive measures such as wearing masks, frequent handwashing, and enhancing immunity can help reduce the risk of infection.
