China describes HMPV outbreak as a 'winter occurrence,' with 'milder severity'

The Human Metapneumovirus HMPV currently spreading in China is just a lsquowinter occurrencersquo is less severe and is spreading on a smaller scale said the countryrsquos foreign ministry spokesperson reported news agency IANSThe statement comes as photos and videos emerged on social media showing hospitals in China swamped with people amid rising cases of HMPV ndash causing respiratory illness and raising serious concerns of another pandemic akin to COVID19Speaking to reporters Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called it an annual occurrence in winter and assured that the country is safe to travelldquoRespiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere Recently the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration of China held a press conference to share information about the prevention and control of respiratory diseases in China during the wintertimerdquo said Ning reported IANSldquoThe diseases appear to be less severe and spread on a smaller scale compared with the previous yearrdquo she addedFurther reassuring the safety of citizens and tourists she noted I can assure you that the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners coming to China adding that It is safe to travel in China reported IANSOver the last few days there has been a sudden spike in respiratory illnesses across China reminding people of a similar surge before COVID19 was confirmedThe media in neighbouring countries like Indonesia India and Japan also cautioned its citizens to be aware of the situation in China and take needed precautionsMeanwhile Indian health officials have also assured that there is no need to worryThe spread of HMPV in China is like any other respiratory virus said Dr Atul Goel Directorate General of Health Services DGHS while speaking to the media reported IANSldquoThere is no need for alarm about the present situation he addedThe expert noted that the disease can lead to flulike symptoms in the elderly and very young children reported IANSHMPV was first discovered in 2001 and is part of the Pneumoviridae family along with the Respiratory syncytial virus RSVThe virus can lead to upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages Young children older adults and people with weakened immune systems are majorly affected reported IANSAccording to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough fever nasal congestion and shortness of breath reported IANSIt reportedly has an incubation period of between three to five daysWearing a mask washing hands frequently and increasing immunity can help prevent the diseaseHMPV had in 2023 been detected in the Netherlands Britain Finland Australia Canada the US and ChinaWith inputs from IANS