Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
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China faces a wave of respiratory illnesses, including human metapneumovirus (HMPV), five years after the Covid-19 pandemic.
HMPV is rapidly spreading, particularly affecting children and the elderly, with hospitals struggling under the strain of rising pneumonia cases.
The colder weather and typical winter increase in respiratory infections are contributing to the surge in cases across the region.
Years of reduced exposure to pathogens due to pandemic lockdowns have created a "catch-up" in immune vulnerability, especially among children.
Alongside HMPV, other viruses like influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19 are circulating, overwhelming healthcare systems.
China’s authorities have implemented a monitoring system for unknown pneumonia cases and strengthened protocols for disease reporting.
HMPV causes symptoms similar to the common cold but can lead to severe outcomes like pneumonia in young children, the elderly, or those with weakened immunity.
HMPV is generally milder than Covid-19, with fewer severe complications and no evidence of pandemic-level spread, according to health experts.
Precautions like handwashing, wearing masks in crowded areas, and avoiding large gatherings remain effective against HMPV and other respiratory viruses.
Neither the Chinese government nor the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an emergency, and experts confirm no evidence of a new pandemic threat.