China is experiencing a new virulent illness that has overwhelmed some hospitals, with video showing crowded waiting rooms in adult and pediatric units, the Daily Mail reported Friday.
Scant news and social media reports coming out of China have warned of a little-known virus called human metapneumovirus (HMPV), but it has not been officially declared by health authorities.
Similar to COVID-19, human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that can cause flu-like illness in people of all ages, although some people are more at risk, including young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
Officials in China say the latest surge of patients is from the seasonal flu, and not the new mystery virus, with 30% of tests returning positive for influenza and one in seven people needing hospitalization for severe respiratory infection.
Videos reporting to show packed hospitals in China began to emerge near New Year's Eve. Aboluowang News, a U.S.-based news provider covering China, quoted a farmer in Hunan province know as Mr. Peng, who said he was at one of the overwhelmed hospitals.
"A lot of people have caught colds, and most of them have [the illness]," he said in quotes translated to English. "About seven or eight people died this week in this area. Some were in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 40s."
Ms. Wang, a funeral director who spoke to the website, claimed there were unusually long lines at her crematorium.
"There are long lines for cremation now," she said in translated quotes. "Today, three VIP furnaces were opened. They were all burning and emitting a lot of smoke. It was terrible. If you don't know about the crematorium, you would think it is selling New Year goods, just like holding a trade fair during the Chinese New Year."
Like other upper respiratory virus, HMPV is spread through direct contact with infected individuals or surfaces, according to the CDC.
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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