Human Metapneumovirus Cases Rise in India and Decline in Northern China

Health authorities monitor seasonal respiratory virus trends as cases are reported in children and the elderly, but experts emphasize no signs of a global crisis.

China reports a decline in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in northern provinces and among children under 14, according to its National Health Commission.
India records multiple HMPV cases, including a 10-month-old in Assam and four cases in Gujarat, with patients ranging from infants to an 80-year-old man.
HMPV, first identified in 2001, is a common seasonal respiratory virus causing symptoms like fever, cough, and nasal congestion, primarily affecting children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
The World Health Organization notes a rise in seasonal respiratory infections, including HMPV, but emphasizes these trends align with typical winter patterns and are not unusual.
Health experts stress that HMPV has been circulating for decades, and while it can lead to severe respiratory issues in vulnerable groups, the overall risk remains low.