IMAGES of crowded hospitals in China shared on social media are fuelling fears of a new Covid-like outbreak as cases of a mysterious winter virus spike.
Cases of hMPV, officially called human metapneumovirus, are now also rising in the UK, stoking fears even further.
The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, covering the week of 23 to 29 December 2024, shows a slight increase in cases.
By the end of 2024, virus activity was at a “medium” level, with positive cases at 4.5 per cent.
“So far the peak positivity is a little over what it was this time last year,” Prof Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia, explained.
“So there is no major difference to usual infection positivity rates – unless they continue to increase in the coming weeks.
“Overall, I don’t think there are currently any signs of a more serious global issue.”
Chinese authorities have confirmed a rise in cases among children under 14.
The situation in the UK is similar, with the highest positivity rate seen in children under five, at 10 per cent.
The virus can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly in those most at risk – babies and the elderly.
Recent images of overcrowded hospitals in China, with masked patients and IV drips, are circulating on social media, evoking memories of the pandemic.
Other countries like India, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia have also reported cases.
UK health officials have stressed that hMPV isn’t like Covid-19 and has been around for decades since its discovery in the Netherlands.
Most people have had hMPV by the time they are five years old and catch it again throughout their lives.
Prof Sir Andrew Pollard from Oxford Vaccine Group added: “The reports of respiratory infections in China in the past few days appear to be attributed to both influenza and this human metapneumovirus.
“This is rather similar to the situation in the UK this week.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also said rising cases of common respiratory illnesses in China and elsewhere around the Northern Hemisphere are within the range expected for winter – with no unusual outbreaks.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, it said it was in contact with Chinese health officials and had not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns there.
The NHS is currently buckling under a tidal wave of flu, with cases quadrupling in just a month.
Casualty departments are overflowing into corridors and at least a dozen hospitals across the country have declared critical incidents.
Official data shows that around 5,000 beds in the health service were occupied by flu patients as of the end of the year.
The virus is forming a ‘quad-emic‘ of winter illnesses, adding pressure on NHS services alongside norovirus, RSV, and Covid.
While hMPV generally causes a mild illness similar to the common cold, very young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are at increased risk of severe illness.
According to the American Lung Association, HMPV causes symptoms such as:
If a more serious infection occurs (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause:
