According to a report in the British newspaper the Daily Mail, China is facing an outbreak of a mysterious viral illness that has overwhelmed hospitals, evoking memories of the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Widely shared videos on social media show hospitals packed with patients wearing masks, while parents wait in long queues with their sick children in paediatric units. The Daily Mail also mentions unconfirmed reports that crematoria and funeral homes are reaching their capacity limits because of the rising number of deaths.
The alarming scenes and the absence of official statements from the Chinese government have led to comparisons with the early stages of the Covid-19 outbreak, which was also initially marked by official silence and public speculation.
According to the Daily Mail, the local press attributes the outbreak to a little-known virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which usually causes mild cold-like symptoms. However, the Chinese health authorities have not yet confirmed this link.
Scenario similar to other recent outbreaks in China
The British newspaper recalls that this scenario is similar to the winter of 2022/23, when China faced a wave of mycoplasma pneumonia, dubbed "white lung". That outbreak was attributed to children’s low natural immunity, the result of strict lockdown measures and the prolonged closure of schools during the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, according to the latest data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the current outbreak appears to be related to seasonal flu. The CDC revealed that around 30% of the tests carried out came back positive for the flu virus, while 14% of patients hospitalised with severe respiratory illnesses also tested positive for influenza.
Rise in respiratory cases across the country
The Daily Mail also cites reports from China’s CDC indicating a substantial increase in respiratory illnesses in several regions of the country. In the week ending 29 December, 7.2% of hospital consultations in the northern provinces were due to flu-like symptoms — a 12% increase on the previous week. In the south, the figure was 5.7%, up 21% on the previous week.
Accounts from citizens and impact on local communities
The British publication also highlights testimonies from Chinese citizens who are experiencing the situation at first hand. A farmer from Hunan province, identified as Mr Peng, said that many people in his community had caught severe colds and mentioned that at least seven or eight people had died in the region in a single week, including individuals aged between 40 and 80.
In addition, the Daily Mail mentions statements from a funeral home manager, identified as Ms Wang, who revealed that the crematoria are operating at full capacity and described long queues for cremations.
The absence of public statements from the Chinese government or the World Health Organization about this new crisis is fuelling global concern, at a time when videos documenting the situation continue to circulate on social media.
