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.

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.

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.

Chinese health officials have reported a decline in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in the northern provinces, easing global fears of a potential pandemic. Wang Liping from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the trend, saying, "The rate of positive cases among patients aged 14 and below has started to decline."

Amid global concerns, China on Sunday said that the cases of infections with the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) are declining. 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, reported the Associated Press.

"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.