Cases of HMPV virus are increasing in India. So far, cases of this virus have been reported from many states in the country. Many neighboring countries have also come under the grip of this virus which started from China. In such a situation, it is important to look at the impact of this virus in China.

At the same time, Chinese officials say that cases of respiratory disease Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) are decreasing in the northern provinces of China.

HMPV cases decreasing in northern provinces of China

Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, reassured that HMPV is a decades-old virus, saying the increase in cases is due to better detection.

"Currently, the rate of positive cases detected for human metapneumovirus is fluctuating, and the rate of positive cases in northern provinces is declining," Liping said during a press briefing of China's National Health Commission.

The rate of positive cases among patients aged 14 years and below has started declining, he said.

The fear of another epidemic had increased

Lipping said the increase in the number of cases of the virus, which was first detected in the Netherlands in 2001, in recent years is due to better detection methods.

Human metapneumovirus is not a new virus and has been present in humans for at least several decades, Lipping said.

Earlier, several photos and videos had surfaced on social media showing hospitals in China crowded with people due to the rising number of HMPV cases, causing respiratory illness and raising fears of another pandemic like COVID-19.

The Chinese government has dismissed it as an annual winter phenomenon.

"Respiratory infections are on the rise during the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere," said Mao Ning, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry. Recently, China's National Disease Control and Prevention Administration held a press conference to share information on the prevention and control of respiratory diseases in China during winter.

The diseases appear to be less severe and less widespread than last year, Ning said.

Many cases have also surfaced in India

Meanwhile, around 10 cases have been reported in India, mostly from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Assam. Most of the cases have been in children aged 3 months to 13 years.

HMPV was first discovered in 2001 and is part of the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The virus can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are most commonly affected.

Common symptoms associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. Wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and boosting immunity can help prevent the disease.