NewsBite

New China virus stirs alarm five years after covid

A viral infection with flu-like symptoms particularly dangerous for young children, the elderly and vulnerable groups is spreading - prompting comparisons with the covid outbreak five winters ago.

A family wearing protective masks during the covid outbreak in Shanghai, China, in April 2020. Picture: Getty
A family wearing protective masks during the covid outbreak in Shanghai, China, in April 2020. Picture: Getty

A viral infection with flu-like symptoms particularly dangerous for young children, the elderly and the vulnerable is surging in China, prompting comparisons with the outbreak of Covid-19 five winters ago.

State media reported that the country was experiencing an outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Common symptoms include coughs and fevers, but it can develop into bronchitis or pneumonia.

Social media postings in recent days have shown packed hospital waiting rooms with mask-wearing adults bringing in children for treatment. Chinese-language websites based outside the country and opposed to the communist regime have carried unverified reports that crematoriums and funeral homes are being overwhelmed.

It was not clear whether the photographs and videos of hospitals showed patients with HMPV or other seasonal viruses, but they drew inevitable parallels with the early days of the then unknown Sars-Cov-2 virus in late 2019 and early 2020.

A packed outpatient area at a children’s hospital in Beijing on November 23, 2023, amid the spread of a respiratory illness in the north of the country. Picture: AFP
A packed outpatient area at a children’s hospital in Beijing on November 23, 2023, amid the spread of a respiratory illness in the north of the country. Picture: AFP

Neighbouring countries said they were monitoring the spread of the respiratory virus, but played down initial causes for alarm.

Atul Goel, an official with India’s Directorate General of Health Services, urged people not to panic in a country that was one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus.

“Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus which causes the common cold, and in the very old and the very young it could cause flu-like symptoms,” he said.

Kan Biao, head of China’s National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, said in a statement released on December 27 that the rate of HMPV among children aged 14 and under was increasing. But the announcement garnered little attention until social media reports of overwhelmed hospitals.

Schematic impression of the human metapneumovirus, which can develop into bronchitis or pneumonia. Picture: News Corp
Schematic impression of the human metapneumovirus, which can develop into bronchitis or pneumonia. Picture: News Corp

Mao Ning, Beijing’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, said on Friday: “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season. “I can assure you that the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners coming to China. It is safe to travel in China.”

HMPV was first identified in 2001. There is no vaccine and treatment is focused on handling symptoms.

China was widely criticised for covering up details about the early stages of the Covid outbreak in the central city of Wuhan. The World Health Organisation, which has not commented on the HMPV outbreak, also came under fire for its initial response to Covid. Last week, it urged China to share data on the origins of Covid.

Marking the fifth anniversary of the authorities in Wuhan reporting a new “viral pneumonia” on December 31, 2019, the UN agency said: “We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of Covid-19. This is a moral and scientific imperative. Without transparency, sharing, and co-operation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.”

Beijing has rejected the criticisms, insisting it shared information “without holding anything back”.

The Times

Read related topics:China TiesCoronavirus

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/the-times/new-china-virus-stirs-alarm-five-years-after-covid/news-story/f5da2bcbe2b22c5783ca558a9c3ca241