Neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong are closely monitoring the HMPV situation, having reported a few cases but no widespread outbreaks.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called it an annual occurrence in winter and assured that the country is safe to travel

China’s winter illness season is less severe compared to the year before, according to data from its health authority. But the proliferation of a long-standing though little-known pathogen called human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been raising alarm both at home and in other countries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is a reported spike in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, and they are monitoring it closely.

A rise in cases of human metapneumovirus in China is stoking fears of a new health crisis, though authorities and experts say prospects for a sequel to the COVID-19 pandemic are remote. The big picture: HMPV is similar to respiratory syncytial virus,

Disease experts have called on Chinese authorities to reveal critical data about a worrying outbreak of HMPV, which can be deadly for those with underlying health conditions