China is dealing with a new outbreak of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), five years after the world overcame the Covid-19 pandemic. Social media reports claim that hospitals and crematories are overwhelmed, with multiple viruses including influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19 spreading rapidly across the country.
However, health officials have not confirmed these claims, citing a lack of concrete evidence. The World Health Organization (WHO) also declined to verify the reports.
HMPV is known to cause flu-like symptoms and can exhibit similar characteristics to Covid-19. China’s disease control authority has been monitoring the situation and has piloted a system to track pneumonia of unknown origin.
The National Disease Control and Preventive Administration will establish procedures for laboratories to report and for disease control agencies to verify cases. Data shows an upward trend in acute respiratory infections from December 16 to 22, but it is unclear if this is directly related to the HMPV outbreak.
As the situation unfolds, Chinese health officials are taking steps to prepare for potential unknown pathogens, a contrast to the lower preparedness five years ago when Covid-19 first emerged.
Source: https://www.wionews.com/world/china-dealing-with-new-epidemic-five-years-after-covid-19-claim-reports-8586676