HMPV scare: China plays down reports of huge flu outbreak; says country safe for travel

File photo for representation

Playing down reports of a massive flu outbreak in the country, China said on January 3 that the cases of respiratory diseases which occur during the winters were, in fact, less severe this year compared to last year.

"Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season in the northern hemisphere," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told the local media in Beijing. He was responding to a question on the spread of Influenza A and other respiratory diseases in China.

The ministry added that it is safe for foreigners to travel to China.

The remarks come amid videos showing overcrowded hospitals going viral on social media. Several reports have suggested that due to the surge in respiratory illness, particularly human metapneumovirus (HMPV), healthcare centres as well as crematories in China are struggling to deal with the situation.

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

"I can assure you the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners in China. It is safe to travel in China," she assured.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also referred to guidelines issued by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration of China regarding the prevention and control of respiratory diseases in the winter.

For the past few days, reports of a massive flu outbreak in China have been circulating abroad. However, health officials have maintained that the outbreak is an annual occurrence during winters. China is currently experiencing severe cold weather for the past few months.

Earlier today, the Union Health Ministry said India is closely monitoring the situation regarding the reports of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China.

"HMPV is a normal respiratory problem that causes common cold. No case of HMPV virus has been reported in India yet," Directorate General of Health Services Atul Goel told reporters.

Emphasising that there is nothing to be alarmed about the current situation, he added "I would like to convey to the public to take general precautions ... if someone has cough and cold, they should avoid contact with people ... take the usual medicines prescribed for cold and fever. There is nothing to be alarmed about the present situation".