Opinion: Chinese chatter intensifies on HMPV as new respiratory infections surge
India TodayAmid reports of a flu outbreak, China has stated that “it is safe for foreigners to travel to China”. Authoritative state media like Huanqiu Shibao as well as popular Chinese-language outlets such as Sina Finance, Jimu News, and The Paper have been reporting that since the beginning of 2025, the number of people infected with respiratory diseases, with Human Metapneumovirus emerging as a significant pathogen of interest, in China has continued to surge. However, Chinese state media called it a rumour that “a new strain with dizziness as a symptom has appeared”, instead pointing out that HMPV, although lesser known to the public, has existed for decades. The average mortality rate after infection with human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus in this population is as high as 43 per cent within 100 days, according to the report in Sina Finance. Chinese professor Wang Xinyu, deputy director of the infectious diseases department at Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, as quoted in a reputed Chinese news website Guangming.com, mentioned that HMPV often “teams up” with other pathogens such as the influenza virus, and rhinovirus, causing coinfections in patients.