Is it safe to travel to China amid HMPV outbreak scare and viral videos? All you need to know

HMPV virus in China: China is reportedly battling another Covid-19 pandemic like situation- a rise in respiratory illness Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus. Amid videos circulating online showing overburdened health systems, China has responded to the outbreak of flu. The rapid rise in rise has sparked concerns globally and many countries, including India, are monitoring the situation closely.

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Five years after the Covid-19 pandemic scare, China is facing another similar situation and this time its Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) - a respiratory illness with flu-like symptoms. As per reports, China is currently dealing with a fresh outbreak of viruses with the emergence of various respiratory infectious diseases in winter, sparking global concerns. ET Year-end Special Reads Stocks to buy in 2025: 66 ideas from top brokerages for your new year portfolio What does 2025 hold for India's IT services sector? 2025 may be the year of EVs in India, dominated by SUV launches If social media videos are to be believed, the virus is posing major health challenges, with a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses, particularly HMPV.

The number of infected people are reportedly rising and it clearly looks like a concerning situation. There's one question that is constantly on everyone's mind- Is it safe to travel to China right now? ALSO READ: HMPV virus in China FAQs: Symptoms, treatment, diagnosis and everything else you should know HMPV cases rise in China Photos and videos of people wearing masks in hospitals in China emerged on social media platforms and local reports said the outbreak of HMPV is similar to the Covid outbreak five years ago. Not only this, along with HMPV, there are claims of other viruses, including influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and even Covid-19, circulating simultaneously.



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What China has said amid HMPV outbreak? China downplayed concerns over a reported outbreak of flu, saying it is safe for foreigners to travel to the country. Beijing to address such concerns. China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that "Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season".

Despite circulating social media videos showing overcrowded hospitals, Chinese authorities maintained that the situation does not represent a significant health crisis. The Chinese foreign ministry said the outbreak is less severe than last year. ALSO READ: Is China facing another pandemic? Five years after Covid, HMPV virus threat triggers panic.

What you need to know? “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season in the northern hemisphere,” said Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, addressing questions about the spread of influenza A and other respiratory diseases. She added, “The diseases appear to be less severe and spread on a smaller scale compared to the previous year. I can assure you the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners in China.

It is safe to travel in China.” Mao also pointed to guidelines issued by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration of China for managing respiratory diseases during the winter. What is HMPV and what are its symptoms? Discovered in 2001, HMPV belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It typically causes upper and lower respiratory infections, presenting symptoms similar to a common cold or flu. ALSO READ: China facing new Covid-like pandemic? Here's everything we know about it so far HMPV causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to severe respiratory issues, especially among children and vulnerable groups. It is a respiratory virus that causes upper and lower respiratory infections.

However, there is no vaccine developed to prevent this. The symptoms of HMPV are similar to those of flu, like cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. However, in severe cases, the virus can lead to complications like bronchitis or pneumonia.

Depending on how severe a case is, the incubation period usually lasts 3-7 days and full recovery may take a few more. HMPV is a communicable disease, which means it can spread through the air as well as through touch. Coughing or sneezing can spread it.

The virus stays active on the surface of objects at room temperature, so touching such an object can also lead to getting the infection. How has India responded to the HMPV scare? The Union Health Ministry said on Friday that it was closely monitoring the alleged outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. The Ministry maintained that while China had reported a rise in respiratory illness, particularly HMPV, India hadn’t registered any unusual spike in winter respiratory diseases.

ALSO READ: Amid reports of HMPV outbreak in China, doctors warn of 11 diseases that could trigger pandemic 2.0 like Covid Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) in India, said, “There is news doing the rounds about a Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China. However, we have analyzed the data of the respiratory outbreaks in the country [India], and there is no substantial increase in December 2024 data nor any large-scale cases reported from our institutions.

There is nothing to be alarmed about the present situation.” Goel added that Indian hospitals are prepared with adequate supplies and beds for the usual seasonal surge in respiratory infections. He advised the public to follow standard precautions, such as avoiding close contact if experiencing symptoms like a cough or cold, to prevent transmission.

Reports from China have suggested that Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) could be behind the spike in infections. However, Chinese authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) have not declared any state of emergency. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel ).