Hospitals across China are struggling to cope with a sudden surge in patients, driven by a mysterious viral outbreak that has led to a return of face mask usage.
The virus, identified as human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is typically responsible for mild cold-like symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and wheezing. In more severe cases, it can cause bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly in children.
HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact, making it highly contagious in crowded environments.
This outbreak is drawing comparisons to the winter of 2022/23, when a wave of mycoplasma pneumonia cases—known as “white lung”—swept through China. That incident, although usually mild, was partly blamed on low natural immunity among children, a result of China’s strict lockdowns and school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that influenza is currently the leading cause of illness. Around 30% of tests for respiratory infections have come back positive for the flu, with one in seven hospitalised patients with severe respiratory symptoms also testing positive. The CDC has issued a warning about rising flu-like illnesses across the country.
In the week ending 29 December, the CDC reported that 7.2% of outpatient visits to hospitals in northern China were for flu-like illnesses, a 12% increase from the previous week and higher than the average for the same period in past flu seasons since 2021. In southern China, 5.7% of outpatient visits were related to similar illnesses, marking a 21% increase from the week before, though still below the levels seen in 2022 and 2023.
Aboluowang News, a US-based outlet covering China, shared accounts from residents in affected areas. One farmer from Hunan, Mr. Peng, described the situation: “A lot of people have caught colds, and most of them are unwell,” he said. “Around seven or eight people have died this week in our area, some in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.”
The news site also reported comments from a funeral director, Ms. Wang, who described long queues at her crematorium. “There are long lines for cremation now,” she said. “Today, three VIP furnaces were opened, burning and emitting a lot of smoke. It was terrible. If you didn’t know what was happening, you’d think it was a New Year sale, like a trade fair during Chinese New Year.”
The rising death toll and strain on hospitals have heightened concerns, with many calling for greater transparency and clearer guidance on the situation from the authorities.
