A surge in cases of a lesser-known virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), has led to hospitals in China being overwhelmed with patients, particularly children. The situation has sparked comparisons to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with social media footage showing packed hospital units and long lines at pediatric wards. While officials are yet to confirm HMPV as the cause, reports suggest it could be responsible for the spike in respiratory illnesses. Chinese CDC officials warn that multiple flu-like illnesses are on the rise, with 7.2% of outpatient visits in northern provinces attributed to flu-like symptoms.
Shocking footage circulating social media shows hospital units overrun with patients affected by the illness, with many children coughing, held by parents wearing face coverings in long lines to the paediatric units. Unverified reports of overwhelmed crematoriums and funeral homes have also been shared.
Officials are yet to confirm this but the situation has been compared to a similar moment in China back in winter 2022 when cases of "white lung" saw an increase. The mycoplasma pneumonia cases, while normally mild, spiked across the country and overran hospitals. That outbreak was blamed on children with low immune systems.
The Chinese government and World Health Organization are yet to address the videos publicly, reports the Mirror.. But Chinese CDC officials warn multiple flu-like illnesses are on the rise, with suggestions that 7.2% of outpatient visits to local hospitals in northern provinces were due to a flu-like illness.
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HMPV Virus Outbreak China Hospitals Respiratory Illness
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