China is facing a new outbreak of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), five years after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reports and social media posts suggest rapid spread, with some claiming that hospitals and crematories are overwhelmed by a surge in cases.
Videos from crowded hospitals show a mix of circulating viruses, including Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19, contributing to the strain.
Claims of China declaring a state of emergency have emerged, but these reports have not been confirmed.
HMPV causes flu-like symptoms and can present symptoms similar to those of Covid-19, prompting health officials to monitor the situation closely.
A social media post from the handle ‘SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19)’ reported that children’s hospitals are particularly overwhelmed by rising pneumonia cases, referred to as “white lung.”
China’s disease control authority is piloting a system to monitor pneumonia of unknown origin, with respiratory diseases expected to rise during the winter months.
The new monitoring system is part of efforts to improve preparedness for unknown pathogens, building on lessons learned from the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Data shows an upward trend in acute respiratory infections, with cases of HMPV rising, particularly in northern provinces and among children under 14.
Experts caution against the indiscriminate use of antiviral drugs for HMPV, as there is no vaccine, and its symptoms closely resemble a common cold.
