After COVID-19, China is again trembling with the spread of a new virus. While the masses are concerned about the potential spread of an epidemic, China's disease control authority claims it to be a pilot of a monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin, with cases of some respiratory diseases. The result of the spread is overwhelming hospitals and crematories. The situation is attributed to the circulation of multiple viruses, including influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19. According to some sources, the state has declared a state of emergency, though the claim is still not confirmed.
HMPV causes flu-like symptoms and some symptoms can also be associated with Covid-19. In late December acute respiratory diseases followed an upward trend in overall infections. The recent cases detected included pathogens such as the rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus. Children's hospitals are particularly strained by rising pneumonia and ‘white lung’ cases. The human metapneumovirus is increasing primarily in the Northern provinces among children under the age of 14.
Health officials are closely monitoring the situation as the virus spreads Additionally, the disease control authority is establishing a dedicated system to set up protocols to handle unknown pathogens. The National Disease Control and Prevention Administration is preparing to establish a procedure for laboratories to report, verify, and handle cases, for disease control and prevention. The situation worsens as no vaccine is still being discovered, and respiratory experts are refusing to blindly use the antiviral drugs to fight human metapneumovirus.
While China is concerned about the increasing HMPV cases, the Indian government is closely monitoring the outbreak. The Union Health Ministry has confirmed that India had not registered any unusual spike in winter respiratory diseases. The disease is under strict surveillance, and governments are actively taking measures to prevent the alarming situation, as during COVID-19.