HMPV: China's healthcare system not overwhelmed, says WHO
India TodayThe World Health Organisation has quashed earlier social media claims that China has declared a state of emergency, saying that the healthcare system is "not overwhelmed and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered." The health agency stated that an increase in respiratory illnesses is a normal pattern witnessed during winter and spring, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. WHO said that HMPV is a common respiratory virus found to circulate in many countries in winter and spring, "although not all countries routinely test and publish data on trends in HMPV." The health agency said that during this time of year, many countries in the Northern Hemisphere experience a rise in acute respiratory infections. Currently, several countries in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere are seeing a rise in influenza-like illnesses and acute respiratory infections, following typical seasonal patterns.