For several days, worrying rumors have been circulating on social networks about a mysterious epidemic affecting China, causing some hospitals and hotbeds to reach saturation point. Videos showing endless hospital queues, with patients wearing masks and parents holding their sick children, have fueled the speculation. Some talk about the return of epidemics, while others are concerned about the spread of several respiratory viruses, including human metapneumovirus (HMPV). But what do we really know about this situation?
The film is similar to the first wave of Covid-19
Millions of people see photos shared on Instagram, TikTok or X. We see fascinating scenes: queues in crowded hospitals, patients covered with masks, and places is heated. Some information suggests that emergency measures have been put in place to fight this mysterious disease. However, neither the Chinese authorities nor the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed this information.
The videos distributed on the network are often from different times and places, some of them started in 2022, during the Covid-19 epidemic in China. Others, from late 2023, show images from a children’s hospital in northern China, when a respiratory disease is spreading, affecting children. In addition, the vast majority of viral media links to unreliable sources, such as The Epoch Times, are known for spreading conspiracy theories.
So, what is really going on in China? The virus in question, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is not new. First identified in 2001, this respiratory virus causes symptoms similar to a cold or flu: cough, fever, runny nose and fatigue. Although most infections are mild, this virus can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, especially in infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
In China, an increase in HMPV cases has been observed, especially in the northern regions, where children are particularly affected due to cold temperatures and indoor activities. The Chinese authorities have not declared an emergency, but they have launched a pilot program to ensure that pneumonia does not have an unknown source and manage cases effectively. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reassured people, pointing out that respiratory diseases are common in winter and that the situation is not worse than last year.
-There is no global problem, but conditions must be watched
Around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared this outbreak a global health crisis. Although the situation in China has attracted attention, HMPV is considered a seasonal virus, like other viruses and In some neighboring countries, such as Cambodia and Taiwan, warnings have been issued due to the high risk to children and vulnerable people flying, and those Public health services, especially in India, have admitted that the virus is not causing widespread panic.
The Chinese authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and ensure that hospitals and clinics have the necessary equipment to deal with this winter’s outbreak. It is important to remember that, unlike Covid-19, there is no specific vaccine for HMPV, and treatment is based on symptom control.
In summary, although the image of queues and overcrowded hospitals may recall the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to adapt to the current situation. The virus that causes this disease, human metapneumovirus, is a respiratory virus whose symptoms are usually mild. No state of emergency has been declared, and China, like the WHO, is downplaying the seriousness of the situation, calling it a recurring cold show.
Although the situation should be monitored, now there is no reason to talk about new diseases. Global health officials are closely monitoring the case, but there is currently no threat of a global health crisis. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between truth and speculation, especially in social networks, and to follow the advice of competent authorities.
