BEIJING (AP) — The rate of infections with the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in northern China is declining, a health official said Sunday, amid some international concern over a potential pandemic.

Health officials in China have given an update on the rate of infections with the flu -like human metapneumovirus (HMPV). The virus in northern China is declining, a health official said on Sunday, amid some international concern over a potential pandemic.

There has been a decline in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in northern provinces and in children under 14, China has said. The spread of the respiratory virus has been causing concern, after images circulated of hospitals overrun with masked patients.

Assuring that HMPV is a decades-old virus, a researcher stated that the rise in case was due to better detection

China said the rate of HMPV infections in the northern part of the couuntry is declining. It further noted that HMPV is not new, but the cases surged in recent years owing to better detection methods

Assurance from National Health Commission comes amid fears of surging respiratory illness, with disease expert citing slowing trend.

The rate of infections from the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a flu-like virus, is on the decline in northern China, a health official announced on Sunday. The update comes amid rising international concerns over reports of a surge in cases and potential pandemic

"The human metapneumovirus is not a new virus, and has been with humans for at least several decades," said Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during a press briefing by China’s National Health Commission.

Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasised that HMPV is not a new virus and has been with humans for at least several decades,