The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised against travel or trade restrictions because of the outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in some parts of the world.
It also canvassed mask-wearing in crowded or poorly ventilated places and regular hand-washing as some measures against the virus.
HMPV often leads to upper respiratory infections, but it can sometimes cause lower respiratory infections like pneumonia, and asthma flare-ups or make chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse. HMPV infections are more common in the winter and early spring.
Most people get HMPV before they turn five.
Other symptoms of the virus are cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath/dyspnea, and rash.
WHO said it assessed the rise of HMPV across the Northern Hemisphere and noted that it was a common trend during winter.
However, the global health body pointed out that the co-circulation of pathogens like influenza may strain health systems.
It consequently urged individuals to take precautions, particularly in winter-affected regions, to protect vulnerable groups.
In a post on its website, the organisation advised people with mild symptoms to stay home and rest.
Those at high risk or experiencing severe symptoms were enjoined to seek medical care promptly.
Furthermore, WHO listed covering coughs and following vaccination advice from healthcare providers as other preventive measures.
It also urged member states to sustain respiratory pathogen surveillance based on their specific context and capacities.
Giving a situation report in its disease outbreak news, titled, ‘Trends of acute respiratory infection’, WHO stated that the rise in cases in the Northern Hemisphere is driven by common respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and mycoplasma pneumonia.
It noted that influenza activity is elevated in several regions, including Europe, parts of Asia, and the Americas, while RSV trends show regional variability, with increases in North America and decreases elsewhere.
Emphasising the importance of maintaining surveillance systems, WHO recommended public health measures such as vaccination, mask-wearing in crowded spaces, regular hand-washing, and staying home when ill.
These precautions, it said, are essential to managing the co-circulation of multiple respiratory pathogens, which can strain healthcare systems during peak seasons.
The health body pledged to continue monitoring global respiratory illness trends and provide updates as needed.
China, which has seen heightened global interest due to reports of rising respiratory infections, also said that the trend aligns with expected seasonal patterns.
According to the China Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza is the predominant cause of respiratory infections, with HMPV and RSV also contributing.
