As China experiences a rise in respiratory infections this winter, one little-known virus has gotten a lot of attention – and some people may worry whether the rise in cases could be felt more broadly around the world.

The rate of infections with the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in northern China is declining, a health official said Sunday, amid some international concern over a potential pandemic. HMPV, which belongs to the same family as the respiratory syncytial virus,

Health surveillance reports from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2025 did not announce a "state of emergency" sparked by a viral outbreak in the country, contrary to claims circulating online.

Human metapneumovirus cases have been on the rise in the UK following fears of a surge in northern China leading to Covid comparisons - now the World Health Organisation has released a statement

As China continues to monitor an increase in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), here's what you need to know about the illness.

The posts are mostly false. Chinese authorities have reported an increase in some respiratory infections, but the increases are in line with seasonal trends and no state of emergency has been declared.

The WHO has downplayed concerns over a rise in HMPV cases, saying outbreaks are normal during winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and other seasonal viruses are on the rise across the northern hemisphere in early 2025, according to the World Health Organization. While news reports and social media videos have caused concern about a potential HMPV outbreak in China,

As cases of the HMPV virus continue to increase in the U.S. and in China, here's what you need to know about the virus.

A top Civil Affairs Ministry official stressed new reforms must be rolled out over the next decade to be effective.

In China, reports of HMPV infections have indeed been rising in recent weeks in the more northerly regions. But so have reports of all the other respiratory pathogens including seasonal flu, rhinovirus and RSV.

When Donald Trump returns to the White House, he's expected to issue a series of orders with far-reaching impact on global health — from abortion services to support for the World Health Organization.