A respiratory virus is spreading in China, but it’s not the new COVID-19

Five years after the world was alerted of a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China – which turned into a global pandemic, crippling the travel industry – a high-profile virus outbreak is once again making headlines.

According to Reuters, authorities in China are monitoring cases of human metapneumovirus, also known as “HMPV," after a reported surge in infections.

Online videos of overcrowded hospitals in China, echoing the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reports of increased monitoring measures have been circulating this week. It certainly triggers a sense of déjà vu.

But before panic sets in, it’s important to note that HMPV, which causes respiratory infections, doesn't pose the same threat as COVID-19. 

Mainly because it's not new. The virus was first identified in the Netherlands in 2001 and is believed to have been circulating among humans for decades, resulting in raised immunity levels.

HMPV, which has no vaccine, is transmitted through direct contact with someone who has it or from touching contaminated surfaces. The disease causes cold-like symptoms that typically clear up on their own in two to five days, according to Health Canada.

But the virus can also lead to more serious conditions, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly in younger children, adults over 65, and those who are immunocompromised.

Despite some alarming news headlines, Beijing is downplaying the latest developments in China as an annual winter occurrence. Last week, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said “respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season.”

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

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also confirmed that "the overall scale and intensity of respiratory infectious diseases in China this year are lower than last year."

Chinese authorities report that their health care system is not overwhelmed and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered, WHO wrote in a statement posted Jan. 7.

Cases of HMPV have been increasing in the U.S. since November 2024 with 1.94 per cent of weekly tests positive for HMPV as of Dec. 28, 2024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

By comparison, 18.71 per cent of weekly tests were positive for flu and 7.10 per cent were positive for COVID during the same week, the data shows.

A threat to travel?

As Canada restores travel ties with China, lifting all COVID-era flight restrictions in October, paving the way for increased connectivity and opportunities for Chinese carriers to return to Canada, does an HMPV outbreak pose a threat to tourism recovery? 

PAX contacted the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to get its take on the matter. 

“A seasonal increase in respiratory viruses such as HMPV is expected in the northern hemisphere during the winter months,” PHAC wrote in an emailed statement. “While there is currently no evidence to suggest that there are unexpected HMPV seasonal trends in Canada, PHAC actively monitors for HMPV along with other respiratory viruses.”

Currently, there is a 1.3 per cent positivity rate (based on the latest data) and the percent positivity of HMPV is slightly lower compared to the same point in time in the previous two years, PHAC noted.

It’s also important to note that the Government of Canada currently does not have any specific travel health advice or travel-related measures for HMPV in China.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely, and will update travel health advice, as appropriate, as the situation evolves,” PHAC said.

Travellers can visit the Government of Canada's travel web page for the latest information and travel health advice, as well as the Tips for Healthy Travel page that has tips for staying healthy while travelling.

PHAC’s advice for reducing the spread of diseases of influenza and COVID-19 is to wash your hands and stay home when sick.

Canadians travelling to China should also review China’s travel advice and advisories page before leaving Canada, PHAC says.

The page contains destination-specific information on potential health risks, including respiratory infections, and provides recommendations travellers can follow to reduce those risks.

It's also worth talking to a health care provider, or visiting a travel health clinic, roughly six weeks before a trip to get personalized health advice, PHAC said. 

“Even if the travel date is coming up soon, it's still worthwhile to make an appointment,” PHAC wrote.

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