China Plays Down HMPV Surge: ‘Safe To Travel’ [Video]

China has insisted it is safe to visit the country amid concerns about a rise in the respiratory illness human metapneumovirus (HMPV).

The Chinese foreign ministry has downplayed speculation about the prevalence of the disease following images posted on social media showing hospitals facing an influx of patients with the flu-like disease.

Newsweek has contacted the Chinese foreign ministry for comment by email.

This illustrative image from December 6, 2024 shows people in masks in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Five years on from the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, China has played down fears of the disease HMPV,…Cheng Xin/Getty Images

Why It Matters

Media reports in other Asian countries such as India, Indonesia and Japan have warned people to be vigilant and reconsider visiting China. This follows a spike in respiratory illness cases across China which has echoes of the surge during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What To Know

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