And, at this stage, neither the World Health Organization nor the Chinese authorities have taken any particular measures or even launched the slightest signal suggesting the emergence of an epidemic.
However, this did not prevent publications on X, Instagram or TikTok, some of which have been viewed 7 million times, from asserting that the Chinese health situation is worrying because of “epidemic of several viruses, including HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Covid-19”. According to certain sources – of admittedly doubtful reliability –, a state of emergency would even have been established in the country.
“This young girl from Tel Aviv saved my life. I think about her very often. I would like to know if she is well, if she is still alive”
Nothing to report at this stage
So, info or fakery? What should we think of these rumors? “Honestly, having followed the articles published in the press and on social networks, I don’t see anything particular to report to date, answers Dr Steven Van Gucht, virologist with Sciensano. I have not seen any data to suggest that a new virus is circulating in China. According to the information I have been able to read, it is the Human metapneumovirus, which has been known for a long time. Every year, it circulates among us. Right now, for example, in our hospitals, 1 to 2 percent of patients hospitalized because of a severe respiratory infection are there because of this human metapneumovirus. This is a completely normal situation that we see every year.“.
How then can we interpret the situation described in the media and on social networks in China today? “In my opinion, they are in the middle of their respiratory infection season, with multiple viruses circulating at the same time. Namely the metapneumovirus, but also the flu, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a little bit of Covid, which probably puts pressure on their health system. But, so far, I have no indication that there is a variant, a special virus or an exceptional situation. Even if this can of course still come, for the moment, they are rather facing a co-circulation of several viruses“.
Situation under control in Belgium
As for the situation in Belgium, “it is under control for the moment, but we are still waiting for the peak of the flu which should arrive in a few weeksaccording to the virologist. We are in fact still only at the beginning of the flu epidemic and we are fortunate that there is really little Covid in circulation at the moment. Better yet, since the last peak in September, the coronavirus has gradually declined. That said, there is still a lot of RSV and flu cases are increasing. We are currently in code yellow and it is not excluded that we will move to code orange in one or two weeks.”.
Steven Van Gucht: “It’s not too late to get vaccinated”
