China Faces HMPV Surge; CDC and WHO Say No Cause for Alarm

Jan 7, 2025, 09:16 AM

China is experiencing a surge in cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus causing flu-like symptoms, particularly among children. The increase in infections has led to crowded hospitals in northern China and raised concerns about the potential for global spread. Health authorities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), are monitoring the situation. However, experts emphasize that HMPV is a common virus known since 2001, and increases during the winter season are typical. The WHO has stated that the current outbreak does not represent a significant new threat, and there is no evidence suggesting the virus has mutated or is more severe than usual. In the United States, HMPV infection rates remain near typical pre-pandemic levels.