HMPV Outbreak In China? Viral Videos Of Crowded Hospitals Trigger Panic Online

Beijing: Five years after COVID-19, China is witnessing an outbreak of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Social media posts suggest that hospitals and crematories in China are overwhelmed with amid reports of HMPV spreading rapidly.

Several videos have emerged on social media claiming that hospitals are full with patients suffering for various virus, including influenza, COVID-19, HMPV and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Some social media users even claimed that China had declared a state of emergency. However, there is no official confirmation in this regard.

Notably, the looming threat of another pandemic in this decade has caused panic on social media.

Social media Reactions:

"Increasing cases of #HMPV Metapneumovirus Infections among humans have been reported in China. The 🦠 that causes symptoms similar to a cold, flu or Covid-19 has also spread in the US," one of the X users wrote.

"Absolutely NOT. We are NOT doing this again. “China Declares State of Emergency as Epidemic Overwhelms Hospitals and Crematoriums. Multiple viruses, including Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumonia, and COVID-19, are spreading rapidly across China," another X user wrote.

Symptoms Of HMPV:

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has similar symptoms that of cold. Those who are immunocompromised, especially young children and elderly people, are at higher risk of getting the virus.

HMPV patients reported to have common cold symptoms, like cough, fever, and nasal congestion. People contracted with HMPV can also have respiratory issues like pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

HMPV is spread like COVID-19 through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs.

Published on: Friday, January 03, 2025, 10:27 AM IST