HMPV cases rise across Northern Hemisphere, but experts urge calm

CHINA – Cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and other seasonal respiratory viruses are increasing across the northern hemisphere as the winter season progresses, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Although reports and social media discussions about a potential HMPV outbreak in China have raised concerns, experts from the WHO, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other health organizations emphasize that the situation is not unusual and remains within the expected seasonal range.

HMPV, discovered in 2001, is a virus in the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It spreads from person to person and can cause respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, particularly in young children and older adults.

Symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. While doctors can test for HMPV, there is currently no direct treatment or vaccine available.

Preventive measures, including hand washing, disinfecting surfaces, and staying home when sick, are recommended.

Searches for information about HMPV spiked in December 2024, particularly following rumors of an outbreak in China.

Reports discussing the virus appeared in the U.S., U.K., Indonesia, India, and in Chinese-owned media, further fueling public interest.

By early January 2025, related search queries such as “China HMPV” were trending, according to Google Trends.

Despite the increased attention, Chinese health officials assured the public that the spread of seasonal viruses, including HMPV, appeared to be less severe and more contained compared to the previous year.

Data from the Chinese CDC for the last week of December 2024 showed that 6.2% of tests among non-hospitalized patients with flu-like symptoms were positive for HMPV, while hospitalized patients had a positivity rate of 5.4%.

Similar trends were observed globally, with the U.S. reporting a 1.94% positivity rate and the U.K. at 4.5% during the same period. However, none of the datasets specified the total number of tests conducted.

Public concern was exacerbated by videos circulating online that purportedly showed overcrowded hospitals in China due to flu and HMPV cases.

However, Chinese authorities, during a January press conference, clarified that these respiratory infections were typical of winter and less widespread compared to previous years.

Spokeswoman Mao Ning reassured the public that it remained safe to travel in China and highlighted the government’s commitment to public health.

Experts from other countries, including the U.S., U.K., and India, echoed these sentiments. India’s Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Atul Goel, stated that the rise in cases was not alarming and urged the public to take general precautions, such as avoiding contact with others when sick.

“I want to request the public to take general precautions, which means, those who have cough and cold should prevent coming in contact with other people to prevent the spread and take normal medicines prescribed for cold and fever. … Otherwise, nothing to be alarmed about the present situation,” he said.

Similarly, the Science Media Centre in the U.K., a body that offers expert comments to journalists on different scientific topics, emphasized that the increase in HMPV cases in China mirrored trends observed in Europe and did not suggest a new or unknown virus.

The CDC in the U.S. acknowledged reports of increased HMPV cases in China but noted that these were not currently a cause for concern.

CDC is aware of reported increases in HMPV in China and is in regular contact with international partners and monitoring reports of increased disease. These reports are not currently a cause for concern in the U.S.