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HMPV virus – latest: EU monitoring cases amid soaring infections across China

Cases of the flu-like virus have spiked across northern Chinese provinces this winter

Alexander Butler,Maroosha Muzaffar
Thursday 09 January 2025 10:46 GMT
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India Lockdown Looms? First Cases Of New Virus Reported After HMPV Grips China | Top Updates

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The European Union is monitoring cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) amid an outbreak of the disease in China.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said cases across Europe were not unusual for this time of year, but would continue to assess the situation.

“ECDC continues to monitor the situation in collaboration with the Chinese CDC and WHO/EURO to gather additional information,” it said.

The virus, which causes flu or cold-like symptoms, has seen cases spiking across northern Chinese provinces this winter, particularly among children.

Photos and videos of people wearing masks in hospitals in China emerged on social media platforms and local reports compared the scenes to the initial outbreak of Covid.

Meanwhile, Indonesia has started monitoring flights from China and Malaysia amid concern over rising HMPV infections across the region.

Those travelling to Bali will have to fill out a form three days before their arrival to the island providing a record of passengers’ health, according to local health authorities.

Pictured: Public health in India

A woman walks past a public health mural in India amid a HMPV outbreak
A woman walks past a public health mural in India amid a HMPV outbreak (AFP via Getty Images)
Alexander Butler8 January 2025 14:51

How worried should you be about the HMPV outbreak in China? Experts explain

How worried should you be about the HMPV outbreak in China? Experts weigh in

Scientists say virus is neither new nor poses unusual threat to global health

Alexander Butler8 January 2025 13:30

Everything we know about HMPV in the UK: Symptoms, case numbers and how to get a test

Alexander Butler8 January 2025 12:51

US monitoring cases

The US is monitoring cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections after a reported surge in cases across China.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was currently looking at reports of increasing cases in the US but played down any concern.

It comes as Indonesia has started monitoring flights from China and Malaysia amid concern over rising HMPV infections across the region.

Alexander Butler8 January 2025 11:20

Pictured: Outbreak in China

A man wearing a mask waits at an outpatient area of the respiratory department of a hospital in Beijing on January 8, 2025
A man wearing a mask waits at an outpatient area of the respiratory department of a hospital in Beijing on January 8, 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)
Alexander Butler8 January 2025 10:44

What is HMPV? China steps up monitoring amid new virus outbreak

What is HMPV? China steps up monitoring amid new virus outbreak

Authorities in Beijing have downplayed surge in cases, which comes five years after world was first alerted to emergence of Covid-19

Alexander Butler8 January 2025 10:00

How worried should you be about the HMPV outbreak in China? Experts explain

How worried should you be about the HMPV outbreak in China? Experts weigh in

Scientists say virus is neither new nor poses unusual threat to global health

Alexander Butler8 January 2025 09:25

What is really behind the mystery new virus gripping China and the world

What is really behind the mystery new virus gripping China and the world

As spikes in a respiratory virus and images of overwhelmed intensive care units emerge, there is a worrying echo of the early days of Covid. Zoë Beaty asks if Beijing is downplaying what is happening in the northern provinces and how worried the rest of us should be

Alexander Butler8 January 2025 09:00

ICYMI: Bali ramps up monitoring of arrivals from China and Malaysia amid HMPV outbreak

Indonesian authorities have begun monitoring flights from China and Malaysia due to concerns over the increasing number of HMPV infections.

According to the local health authorities, nationals from China and Malaysia arriving in Bali have to fill out a health pass three days before their arrival to the island to keep a record of passengers’ health issues like body temperature, cold or flu symptoms.

Maroosha Muzaffar8 January 2025 08:30

Everything we know about HMPV in the UK: Symptoms, case numbers and how to get a test

A surge in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China has prompted some alarm and led to fears of a possible worldwide outbreak.

With reports of overcrowding in Chinese hospitals, leaders in the country are attempting to control a new wave of the virus with a spike in cases in northern regions, particularly amongst children.

A surge in cases has also been reported in India, Malaysia and Kazakhstan.

HMPV is a respiratory disease that causes flu or cold-like symptoms. Most cases are mild, but infection can increase health risks - particularly for the elderly, young children and people with a low immune system - and lead to severe complications such as pneumonia.

Maroosha Muzaffar8 January 2025 08:00

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