European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is recovering at her home in Hanover after being diagnosed with pneumonia, her spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.

Von der Leyen, 66, has cancelled her public engagements for the first half of January as she focuses on her recovery. “Pneumonia is a serious illness and needs to be treated as such, and that is what the President is doing,” said Paula Pinho, the European Commission spokesperson.

Despite her condition, von der Leyen continues to oversee her duties remotely. “She is keeping the business running from Hanover, and there is no need to appoint a temporary replacement,” Pinho added.

Cancelled Engagements

The illness prompted the cancellation of the College of Commissioners’ informal meeting in Gdańsk, originally scheduled under Poland’s Presidency of the European Council, which began its term on January 1. A new date for the meeting has yet to be announced by Polish officials.

Pneumonia and Its Risks

Pneumonia, an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, is particularly concerning for individuals in higher-risk groups, including those over 65. Von der Leyen’s age places her in this category, noted Tiago Villanueva, a family physician and president of the European Union of General Practitioners.

“Winter is a critical time, and we prioritize vaccinating people over 60–65 against flu, as pneumonia often arises as a complication of the flu,” Villanueva explained. Weakened immune systems and pre-existing conditions can increase the severity of pneumonia in older adults.

Symptoms and Treatment

Common symptoms of pneumonia include persistent coughing, which may produce green, yellow, or bloody mucus, fever, chills, shortness of breath, and chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing. Fatigue, loss of appetite, and confusion are also possible, particularly in older individuals.

The illness varies in severity. While younger and healthier individuals typically experience milder symptoms, elderly patients often require hospitalization for treatments like intravenous antibiotics or oxygen therapy. “Most cases can be managed in general wards, but winter pneumonia frequently drives up hospital admissions,” Villanueva noted.

Continued Leadership

As von der Leyen recovers, her ability to continue working remotely underscores her commitment to maintaining continuity within the European Commission. Officials are optimistic about her return to full capacity in the coming weeks, with her spokesperson emphasizing the importance of her prioritizing health to resume her demanding schedule.

This winter season has seen increased pressures on healthcare systems across Europe, highlighting the importance of preventative measures and timely medical care for illnesses like pneumonia.

China is grappling with a surge in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections, adding to the global rise in respiratory illnesses this winter. While HMPV is a familiar virus, its outbreak highlights the challenges of managing respiratory diseases during the cold season.

Understanding HMPV

First identified in 2001 by Dutch scientists, HMPV is a common respiratory virus that infects most children by age five. It typically circulates in late winter or early spring and causes cold or flu-like symptoms such as cough, congestion, and shortness of breath.

For most, HMPV infections are mild and resolve within days. However, vulnerable groups, including infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions, are at higher risk of severe illness requiring hospitalization.

In a study conducted in Italy during the 2018-2019 winter, 10-12% of patients infected with either HMPV or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) required intensive care.

Current Outbreak in China

The outbreak in northern China has primarily affected children under 14, according to local health officials. Reports suggest that the combination of HMPV and influenza is straining healthcare systems in densely populated areas.

Experts note that the virus circulating in China has not mutated into a more dangerous strain. “China seems to be experiencing a severe HMPV season, much like overwhelming flu seasons we see in some years,” said Dr. Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious diseases specialist at the Australian National University.

Impact Beyond China

Although the outbreak does not currently pose a global threat, other countries are seeing an uptick in HMPV cases. In England, test positivity rates for the virus increased from 2.29% in late November to 4.53% in December, suggesting wider spread.

Europe is also facing a “quad-demic” of respiratory illnesses, including influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus, straining healthcare systems across the continent.

Combating HMPV

Currently, there is no vaccine for HMPV, but several candidates are under development, including those targeting both HMPV and RSV. Experts have called for China to share data from its outbreak to aid vaccine research and global preparedness.

Preventative measures remain essential. Ventilating spaces, washing hands, and staying home when sick can reduce transmission. “The winter surge in infections is pushing many healthcare systems to the brink,” said Dr. Peter Openshaw, a respiratory expert at Imperial College London.

As respiratory illnesses continue to rise globally, vigilance and coordinated responses will be key to managing the burden on public health systems.

As the new year begins, many are considering the “Dry January” challenge, which involves abstaining from alcohol for the month. Experts highlight that reducing alcohol consumption is a key step toward improving health, debunking previous beliefs about the benefits of moderate drinking.

Dr. Timothy Naimi, director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria, emphasized the risks associated with alcohol. “Drinking less is a great way to be healthier,” he said, adding that alcohol consumption is linked to several cancers, including colon, liver, breast, mouth, and throat cancers.

Alcohol metabolizes into acetaldehyde, a substance that can damage cells and hinder their repair processes, creating conditions for cancer development. Thousands of deaths in the U.S. could be prevented annually if people adhered to dietary guidelines that recommend men limit themselves to two drinks per day and women to one.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently called for updating health warning labels on alcoholic beverages to include cancer risks, a proposal that would require Congressional approval. “As you consider whether or how much to drink, keep in mind that less is better when it comes to cancer risk,” Murthy wrote on social media platform X.

Reevaluating the “Moderate Drinking” Myth

The notion that moderate drinking benefits heart health stems from flawed studies that compared drinkers to non-drinkers without accounting for key variables such as education, income, and access to healthcare. Once these factors are adjusted, the supposed benefits largely disappear, Dr. Naimi explained.

Another issue is the age demographic studied. Most research focused on older adults who survived middle age without developing alcohol-related problems, creating a skewed perception of benefits for moderate drinkers. Nearly half of alcohol-related deaths occur in individuals under 50, highlighting the dangers of drinking at younger ages.

Genetic studies further challenge the benefits of alcohol. Research comparing individuals with a gene variant that makes drinking unpleasant to those without it found that people with the variant, who tend to drink little or none, have a lower risk of heart disease.

Global Shift Toward Drinking Less

Countries like the United Kingdom, France, and Australia have recently updated their alcohol guidelines, recommending lower consumption levels based on growing evidence linking alcohol to over 200 health conditions. Starting in 2026, Ireland will require cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages.

“The scientific consensus has shifted due to the overwhelming evidence linking alcohol to cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and injuries,” said Carina Ferreira-Borges of the World Health Organization.

While the U.S. did not adopt stricter alcohol guidelines in 2020, experts like Dr. Naimi stress the importance of moderation. “The simple message supported by evidence is that, if you drink, less is better when it comes to health,” he said.