The Truth About ‘HMPV Outbreak In China’ Reports By Some Indian Media Outlets
Reports of a “new virus outbreak” in China, widely circulated by some Indian media outlets, have been dismissed as misleading by medical professionals and international experts. Viral videos and social media posts depicting crowded hospitals have sparked alarm, with claims of a surge in cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and other respiratory illnesses. However, authorities and experts assert that these are typical seasonal occurrences rather than signs of a new health crisis.
Dr Gangeshwaran, a Tamil doctor working in China since 2013, addressed the rumours in a widely shared video. He explained that the current rise in pneumonia and respiratory illness cases is primarily due to the winter climate, as temperatures in parts of China drop to freezing levels. “Every year during December, January, and February, we see an increase in influenza, pneumonia, and asthma cases,” he said. He categorically denied reports of a new virus or impending lockdowns in China, labelling the rumours as baseless and fuelled by misinformation spread on social media. “If there were any real threat, as a medical professional, I would report it voluntarily,” he added, urging media outlets to avoid spreading unnecessary panic.
The Hindu’s former China correspondent echoed these sentiments, calling the exclusive coverage by Indian media a “red flag.” He highlighted that no international health organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have raised alarms about the situation in China. He also noted that images of crowded hospitals, cited as evidence of an outbreak, are not unusual during the flu season in China.
Chinese authorities have also addressed the reports, with foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reassuring the public that respiratory infections typically peak in winter and that the government is monitoring the situation closely. “It is safe to travel in China,” she stated, dismissing claims of an emergency. She acknowledged the rise in respiratory illnesses, including HMPV, influenza, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, but emphasised that the overall scale of infections this year is smaller than in 2023.
Don’t Spread Fake News: Tamil Doctor In China On “New Virus Outbreak” pic.twitter.com/FCV1ZyOQet
— Timeline. (@timelinelatest) January 6, 2025
A recent meeting of India’s Joint Monitoring Group, under the Union Health Ministry, also reviewed the situation and concluded that the current surge in respiratory diseases in China is consistent with seasonal patterns. Health experts stressed that HMPV, first identified in 2001, is not a new virus and has been in circulation globally for years. While it can lead to severe illness in vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, most cases are mild and resolve without complications.
Since Indian media is awash with reports of a "new virus outbreak" in China, people have been messaging me to ask: what's happening? Should they panic?
Here's my two cents:
– Worth noting all reports so far have been *exclusively* in Indian media and nowhere else in the world.…— Ananth Krishnan (@ananthkrishnan) January 4, 2025
HMPV, part of the Paramyxoviridae family, spreads via respiratory droplets, similar to influenza and RSV. Symptoms range from mild cold-like discomfort to more severe respiratory issues like bronchitis or pneumonia. Globally, the virus accounts for 3%-10% of hospital admissions for respiratory infections in children under five, with a low fatality rate of about 1% in this age group.
India, which lacks widespread testing facilities for HMPV, is now expanding its diagnostic capabilities in response to the increased attention on the virus. Experts argue for a stronger regulatory framework to facilitate rapid approval of diagnostic tests, ensuring preparedness for both common and novel pathogens.
In conclusion, the claims of an HMPV outbreak in China appear exaggerated, driven by misinformation and sensationalist reporting.
