WHO Reports No Unusual Respiratory Illness Trends

On 8th January 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that rising respiratory infections across the Northern Hemisphere, including China, align with seasonal winter trends and do not indicate unusual outbreaks.

Reports of increased cases of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in China have raised concerns, but WHO confirmed no emergency responses or overwhelmed health systems.
Chinese data up to December 29 shows rising detections of hMPV, influenza, rhinovirus, and RSV, with influenza being the most common.
Seasonal spikes in acute respiratory infections are expected in winter and are not considered unusual, according to the WHO.
HMPV typically causes mild symptoms but can lead to hospitalization in vulnerable populations, with infections being more easily diagnosed in recent years.
Rising respiratory infection rates have also been observed in other countries, including India and the UK, following regular seasonal patterns.