WHO "Increases Northern Hemisphere Respiratory Diseases, but Expected Range...Seasonal Trends"

The World Health Organization (WHO) has diagnosed that the number of cases of acute respiratory virus infection has increased in the northern hemisphere, including the "human metapneumovirus" (HMPV), which has recently surged in infectious cases in India and China, but is within the expected range.

"In many countries in the Northern Hemisphere, acute respiratory virus infection rates have tended to increase in recent weeks," the WHO said in a press release on the 8th (local time). "The infection rate exceeds the threshold, but it is a normal trend considering the season."

The WHO assessed that patients with respiratory diseases usually show seasonal flu symptoms.

As for HMPV, which has seen many infections in India and China, it is "a common respiratory virus that is prevalent in many countries from winter to spring."

"Some HMPV patients may be hospitalized for bronchitis or pneumonia, but most of them show mild symptoms of upper respiratory infections and then recover within a few days," he explained.

In addition, rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which cause common cold symptoms, are prevalent in China, and local health authorities have reported that the medical system has not been overloaded, the WHO said.

"The increase in respiratory virus infections observed so far is in the expected range, and no abnormalities have been reported," the WHO said, adding that "we will continue to monitor the situation of respiratory diseases in cooperation with each country."