Q: Recently, there is a lot of attention on the increase in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. The National Public Health Agency of Sierra Leone also issued a public press release on this issue. What’s your comment?

A: The Chinese Government has declared for several times that respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere and influenza viruses are common pathogens. The overall scale and intensity of respiratory infectious diseases in China are lower than last year. 

Regarding the human HMPV you mentioned, as we have learned from the competent authorities, HMPV has circulated in humans for at least 60 years and is a common virus that causes upper respiratory infections. HMPV infections are self-limited. The World Health Organization said that China’s reported levels of respiratory infections are within the usual range and that HMPV is not a new virus.

The Chinese government takes seriously the health of its own people and foreign nationals in China. China’s competent authorities and technical agencies took proactive steps to carry out sentinel surveillance for various acute respiratory infectious diseases and released surveillance results. Chinese disease control experts have told the public on multiple occasions how to take science-based protective steps. Also, China and WHO stay in close and regular touch and share timely information on respiratory diseases. We will continue to do what’s necessary and do our best to make sure it is comfortable, safe and convenient for both Chinese and foreigners to travel in China.