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“外交部发言人办公室”消息，在1月10日外交部例行记者会上，《北京日报》记者提问：我们注意到，近期，外界十分关注中国出现的人偏肺病毒（HMPV）感染病例增多。个别国家的卫生部门对本国民众发布防护提醒。一些人开始担忧赴华旅行的安全性，网络上甚至出现“中国出现不明病毒”等论调。世界卫生组织表示，当前中国呼吸道病毒感染情况处于正常范围，HMPV也是一种常见已知病毒。不少专家也表示目前没有任何迹象表明出现了更严重的全球健康问题。发言人对此有何评论？
Beijing Daily: Recently, there is a lot of attention on the increase in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. The health departments of certain countries issued prevention advice to their nationals. Some are concerned about the safety of traveling to China and there are even claims about “unknown virus in China” on the internet. The World Health Organization said that China’s reported levels of respiratory infections are within the usual range and that HMPV is not a new virus, but a common one. Many experts also said that there’s no sign of a more serious global health issue. What’s your comment?
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郭嘉昆：近期我们已经多次回应有关问题。冬季是北半球呼吸道传染病高发季节，流感病毒是常见病原体之一。目前看，中国呼吸道传染病的流行规模和强度低于去年同期。
Guo Jiakun: We’ve recently answered several relevant questions. Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere and influenza viruses are common pathogens. The overall scale and intensity of respiratory infectious diseases in China are lower than last year.
关于你提到的人偏肺病毒（HMPV），经向主管部门了解，这不是什么“新毒株”，在人类社会存在超过60年，是引发上呼吸道感染的常见病毒。人偏肺病毒感染表现为自限性疾病。把常见病毒渲染为“不明病毒”，这违背科学常识，是危言耸听。
Regarding the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) you mentioned, as we have learned from the competent authorities, it is not a new virus. HMPV has circulated in humans for at least 60 years and is a common virus that causes upper respiratory infections. HMPV infections are self-limited. Calling this common virus “unknown” is inconsistent with basic science and essentially fear-mongering.
中国政府始终高度重视本国人民和在华外国公民的身体健康。中方主管部门和技术机构主动开展多种急性呼吸道传染病哨点监测，并公开监测结果，疾控专家也多次介绍科学防护措施。中方也同世界卫生组织保持着密切沟通，及时分享呼吸道疾病信息。中方将进一步采取必要举措，全力为境内外游客提供舒适、安全、便利的旅行环境，也希望大家共同努力，保护好个人和家人的健康。
The Chinese government takes seriously the health of its own people and foreign nationals living in China. China’s competent authorities and technical agencies took proactive steps to carry out sentinel surveillance for various acute respiratory infectious diseases and released surveillance results. Chinese disease control experts have told the public on multiple occasions how to take science-based protective steps. Also, China and WHO stay in close and regular touch and share timely information on respiratory diseases. We will continue to do what’s necessary and do our best to make sure it is comfortable, safe and convenient for domestic and foreign travelers in China. It is also important for everyone to make a common effort for personal and family health.
