China ‘overwhelmed’ by mystery new virus outbreak five years on from Covid - Parents seen holding sick children amid long queues in paediatric hospital units

For the past few days, reports of a massive flu outbreak in China have been circulating abroad, particularly in India and Indonesia. Health officials, however, maintain the outbreak is an annual occurrence during the winter.

The most common symptoms associated with HMPV are nasal congestion, cough, fever and shortness of breath, according to the CDC. In the U.S., the virus typically spreads between the winter and the spring seasons, the CDC indicated on its website.

China: A new virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), is spreading in China, particularly among children under 14. Although cases are rising in China, no HMPV cases have been reported in India so far.

After the epidemic of COVID-19, which troubled the world and left lasting impacts globally, recent viral videos emerging on social media show hospitals in China overwhelmed by a surge in respiratory illnesses.

Reports indicate a rapid spread of HMPV in China, which presents symptoms similar to flu and Covid-19, raising concerns among health officials.