The world is keenly following the developments in China where a mysterious viral outbreak reminiscent of the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc, sparking fears of the possibility of another pandemic.
According to reports, hospitals and medical facilities are stretched with people resorting to using face masks in a bid to control the spread of the respiratory illness.
A report by Daily Mail quoted a local news outlet attributed the outbreak to human metapneumovirus (HMPV), with Chinese health officials have yet to confirm that as the cause.
According to China's CDC, HMPV is an RNA virus belonging to the Pneumoviridae family and Metapneumovirus genus and has been circulating globally as a common respiratory pathogen.
The virus typically causes mild cold-like symptoms including fever, a cough, runny nose and wheezing.
HMPV is spread through respiratory droplets and close physical contact, making it highly contagious.
It can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly in children.
Videos circulating online also depict crowded hospitals with long queues with unverified claims that hospitals are overwhelmed with the widespread transmission, with crematories also overwhelmed.
Despite the highly-regulated media space in China, the world got glimpses of the situation in the Asian nation on New Year’s Eve.
The footages show overcrowded hospitals that is consistent with media reports and claims of those interviewed.
U.S.-based outlet covering China, Aboluowang News interviewed a farmer in Hunan Province, identified as Mr. Peng who reported a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses in his area, with several deaths among those aged 40s and above.
A lot of people have caught colds, and most of them have [illness]. About seven or eight people died this week in this area. Some were in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 40s.
A funeral director, Ms. Wang who was interviewed by the news outlet affirmed that long queues at her crematorium with most deaths linked to the mysterious viral infection.
There are long lines for cremation now. 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.
Notably, no official reports suggest that the situation is critical.