HMPV: World Health Organisation gives verdict on flu-like virus spreading in China
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Verdicts have been drawn on a deadly virus currently surging in China which has already been on the rise in UK hospitals. Human metapneumovirus causes cold-like symptoms and has been known to lead to further health complications or even, in particularly vulnerable patients, death. Reports of the illness overwhelming hospitals in China has resulted in comparisons drawn with the onset of Covid five years ago.
But doctors have been divided on how much of a risk the virus poses worldwide - with the CDC saying it did not consider it a genuine threat to US citizens. It comes amidst a winter where NHS wards are already struggling to meet demand due to soaring winter flu cases, with several hospital trusts declaring critical incidents in recent days.
Data from the UKHSA shows a rise in the rate of patients testing positive for HMPV in the seven days leading up to December 29. The authority however has stated this surge was in line with the trend commonly seen at this time of year. Now the World Health Organization has stated it does not consider the current streak of HMPV cases as anything irregular for the winter months. Addressing concerns, WHO released a statement saying it was "in contact with Chinese health officials".
In a statement, a WHO spokesperson said: "Based on data published by China, covering the period up to 29 December 2024, acute respiratory infections have increased during recent weeks and detections of seasonal influenza, rhinovirus, RSV, and hMPV, particularly in northern provinces of China have also increased. The observed increase in respiratory pathogen detections is within the range expected for this time of year during the Northern hemisphere winter.".
