Respiratory Infections Within Expected Range for Winter, No Unusual Outbreaks Reported

No Unusual Outbreaks Reported

Global and Chinese health authorities have reported that the recent rise in respiratory infections, including cases with human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is within the expected range for winter. There are no unusual outbreak patterns, and the overall level of infections is lower than last winter.

The World Health Organization (WHO) addressed the increased international interest in China's respiratory infections, particularly HMPV cases. They confirmed that the upward trend falls within the predicted range for the Northern Hemisphere winter. Additionally, Chinese authorities assured the WHO that their healthcare system is not overwhelmed, and hospital utilization is lower than this time last year.

HMPV is a common respiratory virus that spreads year-round, but it is more prevalent in late winter and early spring. While the proportion of HMPV among all acute respiratory pathogens in China is relatively low, the virus can cause severe cases in the elderly, children, and individuals with weakened immunity or chronic respiratory illnesses.

Data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the share of HMPV infections among all cases testing positive for acute respiratory pathogens has been rising since December, increasing from 4.8% to 6.2% by the end of the month. However, influenza remains the dominant infection, accounting for over 30% of cases by the end of December. Other circulating viruses include rhinovirus, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19.

Kan Biao, head of the China CDC's National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, noted that the positivity rate of HMPV among individuals aged 14 and under has been rising, along with the rate for influenza. However, he emphasized that the current scale and intensity of respiratory illnesses are lower than the previous season.

Li Tongzeng, a physician at Beijing You'an Hospital's infectious disease department, attributed the rise in reported HMPV infections to improved testing technologies in recent years. Additionally, China has established a comprehensive surveillance network for acute respiratory illnesses, supported by information from sentinel hospitals that test and monitor different pathogens.

The WHO acknowledged China's robust surveillance system for various respiratory pathogens and the publication of detailed weekly reports on the China CDC website. They also highlighted the limited availability of HMPV surveillance and laboratory data from other countries.