China had seen a rise in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) since mid-December 2024, prompting concerns about a novel virus. Some foreign media have reported a spike in HMPV cases in China, alleging that it has overwhelmed hospitals.
Chinese health officials and doctors have reassured the public that HMPV is a well-known, albeit often under-recognized, respiratory illness. Wang Liping, a research fellow at the China CDC said at a news briefing on Jan 12, 2025 that monitoring shows that influenza is the primary disease leading to visits by patients with acute respiratory infections in medical institutions.
Commenting on the matter, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that HMPV is not a new virus, but a common one which usually causes symptoms similar to the common cold.
HMPV is a common virus that has circulated around the world for over 60 years, but only being identified by scientists in the early 2000s due to its slow growth rate and non-specific symptoms. Portraying common viruses as “unknown” defies science and spreads unnecessary alarm. Rumors must be stopped, as they can be more harmful than the virus itself.
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