Rising cases of common respiratory illnesses in China and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere are pretty much what you'd expect for winter, with no unusual outbreaks noted, according to the World Health Organization.
The recent spike in human metapneumovirus (hMPV) cases in China has caught global attention, with some reports suggesting hospitals are getting overwhelmed, reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic over five years ago.
However, the WHO stated on Tuesday that they’re in touch with Chinese health officials and haven’t heard of any unusual outbreak patterns. Chinese authorities have also assured the U.N. health agency that their health system isn’t overwhelmed and no emergency measures have been put in place.
According to the WHO, data from China up to December 29 shows that cases of hMPV, seasonal flu, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have all been on the rise recently, especially in northern regions. Right now, influenza is the most commonly reported illness.
The WHO noted that the uptick in acute respiratory infections and related pathogen detections in many Northern Hemisphere countries is typical for this time of year and not out of the ordinary.
hMPV usually brings on cold-like symptoms for a few days but can lead to hospitalization in rare cases, particularly among the very young, elderly, or those with health issues. Unlike the novel virus that caused COVID-19, hMPV was first identified in 2001 and has probably been around for a lot longer, according to scientists.
Other countries, including India and the UK, are also seeing an increase in hMPV cases this winter, along with other respiratory infections, following seasonal patterns that can sometimes put pressure on hospitals.
"Almost every child will have at least one infection with hMPV by their fifth birthday," said Paul Hunter, a medicine professor at the University of East Anglia in the UK. Countries are also getting better at diagnosing the illness, he said, which may be a factor in increasing rates.
"Overall, I don't think there is currently any sign of a more serious global issue," he said.