The WHO states that the respiratory virus HMPV is "common" in China and does not pose a significant threat.

GENEVA - 8 JAN - The World Health Organisation (WHO) reassured the public about HMPV, a respiratory infection spreading in China, clarifying that it is not a new or particularly dangerous virus. A WHO spokeswoman stated that the agency is in contact with the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, which reported that various respiratory infections, including flu, RSV, Covid-19, and HMPV, are circulating in China, as is typical during the winter season.

Chinese media began reporting an increase in HMPV cases in early December, sparking global health concerns, but both Beijing and the WHO have sought to ease these worries. HMPV, discovered in 2001, is considered a common virus that circulates during winter and spring. WHO officials confirmed that the levels of respiratory infections in China are within the normal range for this time of year, with hospital utilization currently lower than the previous year and no emergency measures being triggered. While HMPV generally causes mild cold symptoms, it can lead to more severe illnesses like bronchitis or pneumonia invulnerable individuals.