As photos and videos emerge on social media showing hospitals in China swamped with people amid rising cases of human metapneumovirus or HMPV - a respiratory illness with symptoms similar to those of a flu - there are serious concerns of another health crisis after COVID-19.
Beijing however, has downplayed the developments in recent days, passing it off as an annual occurrence in winter.
As international reports cautioned travelers to reconsider their travel plans to China for the time being, Beijing issued a press statement to address such concerns. China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that "Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season".Reassuring citizens and tourists, she said "I can assure you that the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners coming to China", adding that "It is safe to travel in China".
When asked about the overcrowded hospitals and reports of the surge in respiratory illnesses, she said "The diseases appears to be less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year". She also urged citizens and tourists to refer to the guidelines issued by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration of China.
