In northern China, the rate of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections is declining, Wang Liping, from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said today.
"HMPV is not a new virus and has been present in humans for at least several decades," she told a press conference of China's National Health Commission.
According to her, the increase in the number of virus cases is a consequence of better detection methods.
"Currently, the rate of positive cases in northern provinces is declining, and the rate of positive cases among patients under the age of 14 has started to decline," said Wang Liping, who is a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
HMPV causes flu or cold symptoms, including fever and cough. Symptoms often disappear on their own, although they can cause lower respiratory tract infections in children, the elderly and people with weakened immunity.
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Experts say that unlike COVID-19, HMPV has been around for years and that there is some immunity to it. Most children are infected with the virus before they turn five.
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