WHO says rising respiratory infections in China within expected winter range

International

'Authorities report that hospital utilization currently lower than this time last year, and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered,' says spokesperson.

The World Health Organization (WHO) clarified on Tuesday that the rising circulation of respiratory viruses, particularly human metapneumovirus (hMPV), in China aligns with typical winter patterns, with no emergency declarations amid growing attention to the matter.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) reported an uptick in common respiratory infections, including seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hMPV, and SARS-CoV-2, in its latest data covering up to Dec. 29.

"Among the pathogens reported by China CDC, seasonal influenza is by far the most common and is increasing," spokesperson Margaret Harris told a press briefing in Geneva.

Harris added that the test positivity rate for influenza exceeded 30% among individuals presenting with flu-like symptoms at sentinel sites in late December.

However, she said: "China’s reported levels of respiratory infections are within the usual range for the winter season. Authorities report that hospital utilization is currently lower than this time last year, and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered."

Similar trends in rising influenza cases have been observed across the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, as part of the WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, she said.

She also mentioned that human metapneumovirus, which has attracted significant media attention, is not a new virus.

China’s Foreign Ministry, separately, said in Beijing that it “has and will continue to release information about infectious diseases in a timely and transparent way in accordance with law.”

The Chinese statement, however, did not specifically share any data regarding acute respiratory infections.

The ministry was responding to a question about whether China was “still safe to travel for foreign visitors."

Discovered in 2001, it typically causes mild respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold but can lead to more severe illnesses, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, the spokesperson said, explaining that the youngest and the oldest are most at risk, along with those who are immunocompromised, that is, those who have weakened immune systems.