Chinese official confirms Human Metapneumovirus surge

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters during a press briefing: "Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere."

"The diseases appear to be less severe and spread on a smaller scale compared with the previous year," she said.

"I can assure you that the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners in China. It is safe to travel in China," the Chinese official said.

The spike in Human Metapneumovirus cases in China came to light after several videos and images appeared on social media where large number of people could be seen visiting hospitals for treatment.

The videos looked similar to the situation that the world faced five years ago during COVID-19 surge, a disease believed to have originated from China.

The COVID-19 surge across the globe claims 7 million deaths.

The latest virus circulation in the country occurred five years after COVID-19 hit globally and wrecked the healthcare systems. It is believed widely that the deadly COVID-19 strain had originated from China.

What is human metapneumovirus (HMPV)?

As per Cleveland Clinic website,  Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that usually causes symptoms similar to a cold.

"You might cough or wheeze, have a runny nose or a sore throat. Most cases are mild, but young children, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for serious illness. HMPV is common — most people get it before they turn 5," the website said.

WHO asks China to share data five years after COVID-19

Meanwhile, The World Health Organization (WHO) this week reflected on COVID-19, and ongoing efforts to understand the disease, five years after its emergence.

WHO recalled that on 31 December 2019, its Country Office in China picked up a media statement by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission from their website on cases of “viral pneumonia” in the city.

“In the weeks, months and years that unfolded after that, COVID-19 came to shape our lives and our world,” the UN agency said on Monday.

Worldwide, there have been 777,074,803 confirmed cases of the disease, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and more than seven million deaths.