(VOVWORLD) - The World Health Organization on Tuesday wrote on its website that the number of acute respiratory infections (ARI) typically increases at this time of year in many countries in the Northern Hemisphere.
The main cause is attributed to seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), and other common respiratory viruses.
Regarding the situation in China, WHO said that the number of acute respiratory infections, including seasonal influenza, RSV, rhinovirus and HMPV, has increased in recent weeks, especially in the northern provinces.
However, data released by China up to 29 December showed that the situation is within the estimation for the Northern Hemisphere winter season and does not show any unusual signs.
WHO affirmed that HMPV is a common respiratory pathogen, occurring in winter and spring in many countries, although not all countries conduct surveys and publish data regularly.