Countries' responses to the rising respiratory disease in China

(CLO) Several neighboring countries of China have issued public health updates regarding human papillomavirus (HMPV) amid the rising respiratory disease outbreak in China.

The increase in reported HMPV cases has caused global concern, as several cases have recently been reported outside mainland China—in Hong Kong and Malaysia. Neither the Chinese government nor the WHO has declared a public health emergency related to the virus.

First identified in 2001, there is currently no vaccine to prevent HMPV. The disease typically causes symptoms similar to the common cold, including cough, fever, nasal congestion or runny nose, sore throat, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and rash. However, the risk of severe illness is higher in people under 5 years of age or over 65 years of age.

According to medical experts, the virus can also cause complications such as bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma or ear infections. Cases are most common in late winter and spring, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Illustration photo.

Like other similar viruses, HMPV is typically spread from person to person through droplets from coughs and sneezes, through person-to-person contact such as hugging or kissing, and by touching contaminated surfaces and objects and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.

Several health officials from neighboring countries have issued statements to allay concerns, noting that the virus has been around in recent years and reminding people that respiratory illnesses always increase during the cold season.

"There is news circulating about an outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. However, we have analysed the data on respiratory outbreaks in the country (India) and there is no significant increase in the December 2024 data and no cases have been reported in large numbers from any of our institutions. There is nothing to worry about in the current situation," the Directorate General of Health Services of India said on Friday.

“This is not a new disease and in this country, HMPV cases are not required to be reported or notified under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988,” the Malaysian Health Ministry said in a statement on Saturday, according to the New Straits Times.

According to Pakistan's Samaa TV, Pakistan's Ministry of National Health Services "has directed the National Institute of Health (NIH) to closely monitor the virus. A virtual meeting with health officials and medical experts has been scheduled to assess the situation and develop a response strategy."

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said on Friday: "Respiratory infections tend to peak in winter. They appear to be less severe and spreading on a smaller scale than last year."

"I can assure you that the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners coming to China," she added.

The United States continues to grapple with a surge in respiratory illnesses, which tend to spread more during the colder months. The CDC says flu outbreaks typically peak between December and February.

Vietnam's Ministry of Health closely monitors the outbreak of viral pneumonia in humans in China.

On the afternoon of January 5, the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, quickly reported information on cases of pneumonia caused by the virus in humans in China. The Department of Preventive Medicine will continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic situation to update and proactively provide and share complete and accurate information...

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, on January 2, 2025, a number of foreign websites reported on an outbreak in China with many cases of pneumonia caused by the virus that causes pneumonia in humans (Human Metapneumovirus - HMPV) and commented that the disease spread rapidly with symptoms similar to the flu, COVID-19 and at the same time worried about another health crisis after COVID-19.

Immediately after receiving the above information, the Department of Preventive Medicine contacted the World Health Organization (in Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region) and the Focal Point for the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) of China (Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention).

Up to now, the World Health Organization has not had any official information on the epidemic situation in China; at the same time, it has not been able to verify the reliability and authenticity of the information on the above media channels and social networks.

The Department of Preventive Medicine will continue to closely monitor the developments of the epidemic situation; closely coordinate with the World Health Organization, the focal point for implementing IHR in China to update information and proactively provide and share complete and accurate information, not to cause panic and anxiety, but at the same time not to be subjective or negligent in the face of developments of the epidemic situation.

(According to Suckhoedoisong.vn/Ministry of Health Information Portal)

Hoang Anh (according to Xinhua News Agency, China Daily, NewsWeek)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/phan-ung-cua-cac-nuoc-ve-dich-benh-duong-ho-hap-hmpv-tai-trung-quoc-post329122.html