WHO: Increase in flu cases in China within expected range

Follow-up - INA

The World Health Organization said that the increase in cases of common respiratory diseases in China, and elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere, falls within the expected range for winter, with no unusual outbreaks reported, and confirmed that influenza is the most common cause of the disease currently in China.

Reports of a surge in cases of human respiratory syndrome (HMPV) in China have made headlines around the world, with reports of hospitals being overwhelmed with patients, reminiscent of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic more than five years ago.

The World Health Organization said in a statement it was in contact with Chinese health officials and had not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns there. Chinese authorities have also told the UN agency that the health system is not overburdened and no emergency measures have been launched. The
WHO said Chinese data up to December 29 showed that cases of human respiratory viruses, seasonal influenza, rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus had all increased in recent weeks, particularly in northern parts of China. Influenza is currently the most common cause of the disease, it added.

“The marked increases in cases of acute respiratory infections and the detection of associated pathogens in several countries in the northern hemisphere in recent weeks are expected at this time of year and are not unusual,” the WHO said.

HMPV typically causes cold-like symptoms for a few days, but in rare cases, it can lead to hospitalization in the very young, the very old or those at risk. Unlike the virus that causes Covid-19, which was new, HMPV was first discovered in 2001 and scientists believe it has been circulating for much longer.
Singapore’s health ministry reported a rise in HMPV cases in late 2024, but the increase is consistent with previous years.
Several other countries, including India and the UK, have reported rising HMPV cases this winter, as well as other respiratory infections, in line with seasonal trends that can sometimes overwhelm hospitals.