In what is feeling like a case of deja vu, the world is starting the new year with the threat of a ‘mystery illness’ currently spreading through China and which is thought to have ‘already hit the UK’
A ‘mystery illness’ that is reportedly the crux of overcrowded hospitals in China has seen a surge of people struck down with respiratory infections – but what actually is it?
In a bid to monitor and tackle this ‘new’ virus, China has already implemented emergency measures as cases have started to spike across northern Chinese provinces. And it looks children have become the target demographic for this nasty illness, with social media posts highlighting an overflow of tots in hospitals with the Covid-like symptoms.
Social media posts coming out of the mainland show photos and videos of people wearing masks in hospitals, with local reports claiming that these scenes eerily echo the start of the Covid back in late 2019.
As the numbers peak for those displaying the likes of fever, coughs and sore throats in China, studies suggest that the ‘mysterious illness’ is already ashore the UK. But, what will we be dealing with?
What is HMPV?
The virus is believed to be human metapneumovirus (HMPV) – a respiratory virus that riddles the body with symptoms similar to that of the flu, the common cold and Covid.
Alike the three illness mentioned above, HMPV can be mild with symptoms ranging from a fever, cough, sore throat and fatigue. It has an incubation period from three to six days, meaning you could have the infection without displaying symptoms during this time period.
However, HMPV can also pose as a huge threat to humans in more severe cases. The respiratory virus can lead to various complications, including pneumonia – a lung infection where the air sacs in the organ fill with fluid or puss, causing breathing problems.
Most severe cases of HMPV seem to be tied to children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems or pre-existing conditions.
Despite many first being stunted by this ‘mystery illness’, it isn’t actually new but was first identified 24 years ago back in 2001. The virus is only now causing concern due to its sweeping effect across China and its supposed mirroring of the initial Covid outbreak just over five years ago.
So, how is it spread? Just like many other respiratory illnesses HMPV is a single-stranded RNA virus, which means it is able to spread through respiratory droplets, such as coughing and sneezing. People can also become infected by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces.
Hence why mask wearing and hand washing would be imperative to stop the spread. And it looks like these measures could be really important as there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment to squash HMPV. Instead, it’s about managing symptoms early to make sure the virus doesn’t become more severe.
What is happening in China?
China is currently on ‘high alert’ with the evolving HMPV outbreak. Despite rumours swirling on social media that the nation has declared a state of emergency, there has been no official announcement of this from either the Chinese government or the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Although there are three other major influenza strains – Adenovirus, Parainfluenza and Rhinovirus – currently circulating, all presented trends of decreasing, HMPV showed an upward tick – in unison with the hospital carnage in China.
On Friday (January 3), Reuters revealed that the Chinese authorities are currently trialling a new system to monitor pneumonia cases that have come from an unknown origin. This has incited concerns about a potential spike in “White Lung” cases, which describes severe cases of pneumonia.
Like many other countries experience, China has cited the spike in cases as expected of this time of year due to seasonal changes. With the weather change and increased time spent indoors, it’s prime time for the respiratory viruses. This has led to Chinese health officials to reassure that this is nothing but a seasonal illness situation.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday: “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season”.
“The diseases appear to be less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year,” she said.
Although, the outbreak and the overcrowding of hospitals are mirroring the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, leading to concerns that Beijing is downplaying the situation as a seasonal illness.
Is HMPV in the UK and elsewhere?
HMPV cases have previously been identified in various countries in the past – including the UK – and now it looks like HMPV is ready to meddle again this winter with us Brits.
According to a study conducted by gov.uk, which tracks COVID-19 type illnesses, the HMPV that has caused the China outbreak is here in the UK.
“Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) positivity increased slightly to 4.5%, with the highest positivity in those aged under 5 years at 10.0%,” the website states, in reference to dates between December 23 – 29 2024. Though it is not known how many cases of HMPV are in the UK as of yet.
And it’s not just our population that is being struck down with the illness. While Hong Kong have reported a number of cases of HMPV, other neighbouring countries, like Taiwan and Cambodia, are closely monitoring what is going on.
Issuing warnings about the potential spread of HMPV, the Cambodian Communicable Disease Control Department (CDCD) have likened the virus to both the flu and Covid-19.
However, Indian officials have said that HMPV is “like any other respiratory virus” and that there is no need to panic.
We will be keeping tabs on the story as it develops. For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.