China Communicates With WHO on HMPV Cases

The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed on January 10, 2025, that it has been in close communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding respiratory diseases, specifically the human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized that HMPV is not a new virus, having circulated in humans for over 60 years, and that the current cases are aligned with trends observed in the northern hemisphere. China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that HMPV cases remain at high levels, but Guo described the situation as manageable, stating that HMPV infections are self-limiting. He criticized alarmist claims about the virus, asserting they contradict scientific understanding. Meanwhile, India has reported several cases of HMPV, raising concerns in the region. The WHO has verified that it has not received reports of unusual outbreak patterns from Chinese health officials.