Concern about new China virus: this is what the WHO says about "HMPV"
By Albert Otti
Geneva - In view of reports of respiratory infections with the HMPV virus in China, the World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking reassurance.
The human metapneumovirus is neither new nor particularly dangerous, emphasized a WHO spokeswoman in Geneva. No emergency situation had been declared in China .
Chinese media had already reported in December that respiratory diseases were on the rise, including infections with HMPV. According to the WHO, it is in contact with the China CDC health authority.
According to their information, various pathogens are circulating, as is usual in winter, said the WHO spokesperson in Geneva. These include seasonal flu in particular, but also RSV, HMPV and the coronavirus Sars-CoV-2.
According to the China CDC, the infection situation for respiratory diseases is within the usual range for this time of year. Hospitals are less busy than a year ago.
A spokeswoman for the Beijing Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that the diseases appear to be less severe and spreading to a lesser extent than last year.
These are the symptoms of the virus
HMPV is currently arousing great interest due to its unfamiliar name, but it was already discovered in 2001, said the WHO spokesperson. "It is a widespread virus that circulates in winter and spring," she explained.
The pathogen usually causes normal cold symptoms. In some cases, HMPV can lead to more serious illnesses such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
This risk particularly affects people with very weak immune systems, including the elderly or patients undergoing cancer treatment.