Chinese hospitals are facing a surge in patients with respiratory illnesses, leading to concerns and reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social media footage shows crowded hospitals with patients wearing masks, and long lines at pediatric wards.
Some reports have attributed the outbreak to human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a relatively obscure virus known to cause mild, cold-like symptoms.
Raman Gangakhedkar, a scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research, sought to ease public concerns about the potential for another pandemic, noting that children under five years of age are the most vulnerable to the virus.
“There is no need to be alarmed about human metapneumovirus (HMPV) unless a global health agency reports a genetic mutation,” Mr Gangakhedkar stated.
Echoing this reassurance, Suresh Gutpa, a medical practitioner at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in India, highlighted that HMPV has been known for over two decades.
“It comes particularly in the winter season, it is like influenza virus, normal viral fever. In most of the cases, the symptoms are cold, cough, fever, and they are self-limiting. With general medicine, they settle down at home. Most of the children who get this infection, do not require hospitalisation. So mostly it is a mild infection,” Mr Gutpa explained
While no official cause has been confirmed, some reports point to human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a common virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms, particularly in young children.
Experts have downplayed the severity of the situation, emphasizing that HMPV is not a new virus and that most cases are mild and resolve on their own.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control recently warned of rising flu-like illnesses in the country.
