Western medical experts raise concerns over China's transparency regarding a viral outbreak that is overwhelming hospitals across the country.
According to the Daily Mail, cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) have doubled in the United States from the beginning to the end of December, as similar outbreaks ravage Chinese hospitals.
The situation has drawn parallels to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with footage circulating on social media showing overcrowded waiting rooms and hospital wards in China. Chinese officials have downplayed the severity of the outbreak, stating that respiratory infections are less severe and smaller in scale compared to the previous year.
Dr. Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious disease expert from The Australian National University, emphasizes the critical need for China to share outbreak data promptly. The information should include details about infection patterns and genomic data to confirm HMPV as the primary cause and identify any concerning mutations that could guide vaccine development.
Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos from RMIT University highlights how the surge in cases and growing pressure on healthcare systems, particularly in densely populated regions like China, demonstrates the necessity for enhanced monitoring. The situation requires effective surveillance and timely responses to address potential public health risks.
Dr. Andrew Catchpole, chief scientific officer at hVIVO, notes that while HMPV typically appears during colder months, the rate of serious infections in China appears higher than usual. The combination of high flu and COVID levels may be contributing to the current healthcare strain.
HMPV, first identified in 2001, primarily causes cold-like symptoms but can lead to more severe conditions such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes, as well as through close personal contact and contaminated surfaces.
Professor John Tregoning from Imperial College London explains that HMPV shares symptoms similar to those of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), particularly in children. Risk factors include age extremes and underlying immunosuppression. He advises standard protective measures such as good ventilation, covering coughs, and proper hand hygiene.
CDC data reveals that approximately one in ten respiratory illnesses in US children are caused by HMPV, with an estimated 20,000 children under five hospitalized annually. While the exact death rate remains unknown, experts estimate between 10 to 30 percent of hospitalized HMPV patients in the US do not survive.
US health authorities report nearly 300 positive HMPV test results during the last week of December, with test positivity rates climbing from 0.9 percent to 1.9 percent over the month. However, Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia cautions that increased molecular testing may affect year-over-year comparisons.
Dr. Jacqueline Stephens, senior lecturer at Flinders University, attributes heightened awareness to post-pandemic vigilance. Professor Jill Carr emphasizes that this outbreak differs significantly from COVID-19, given the existing knowledge about HMPV's genetic diversity and impact on lungs, as well as established testing methods.
The Chinese CDC has recommended basic precautions like hand washing while rejecting claims about overwhelmed hospitals. Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning maintains that current respiratory infections show less severity and smaller scale than in previous years.
The emergence of HMPV as a significant health concern spans both China and the United States, with cases doubling in America during December 2024. While Chinese hospitals grapple with overcrowded facilities and mounting cases, health experts worldwide call for increased transparency and data sharing to understand the outbreak's scope and severity better. The situation continues to evolve as global health authorities monitor case numbers and assess potential public health implications.
