New research shows there was an alarming spike of the hMPV – the same one currently ravaging China – in the UK over Christmas, particularly affecting one age group
The mysterious illness reportedly sweeping across China and leaving hospitals overcrowded has already hit the UK, according to a new study.
China is currently on high alert as reports of a new virus, mirroring COVID-19 with flu-like symptoms, emerge across the nation. Social media posts from the mainland have highlighted an overflow of children in hospitals exhibiting fever, coughs, and sore throats, with their numbers peaking over recent days. Known as human metapneumovirus (hMPV), the illness causes a mild cold-like set of symptoms and could be behind the outbreak.
A study from gov.uk that tracks COVID-19 type illnesses recently revealed the same hMPV disease thats behind the China outbreak is well and truly present on British shores.
“Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) positivity increased slightly to 4.5%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 10.0%,” the website read, referring to the period of time between December 23 – 29 last year.
While the three other major strains of influenza – Adenovirus, Parainfluenza and Rhinovirus – all showed trends of decreasing, HMPV showed an upward tick, just as chaos started kicking off in China.
Reuters disclosed on Friday (January 3) that China’s authorities are trialling a novel system to monitor undetermined pneumonia cases, inciting worries about a potential surge in “White Lung” cases, a phrase frequently used for severe pneumonia.
READ MORE: Robot dogs ‘get feet from much bigger animal’ to help battle treacherous terrain
Rumours swirled that China had announced a state of emergency due to the virus spread, but no formal statement has been issued by either the Chinese government or the World Health Organisation.
Moreover, a doctor from Jiangsu Province posted on Xiaohongshu, a mainland platform, on December 27, revealing the discovery of a hitherto unknown virus within their medical facility.
The doctor revealed that the affected patients were battling pneumonia and respiratory failure. Although the virus wasn’t as contagious as coronavirus, it had a significantly higher death rate.
According to the medic, out of his 30 patients, six had sadly died and three more were on the brink of death. A woman took to social media to claim that major hospitals in Shenyang, the largest city in China’s Liaoning province, were completely overwhelmed.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.