A mysterious viral outbreak is overwhelming hospitals in parts of China, with widespread reports of overcrowded facilities, long waiting times, and people returning to face masks.
Social media videos show packed hospital units, where parents are seen waiting with sick children, and patients are pictured wearing face masks amid the surge in illnesses. Unverified reports are also circulating about overcrowded crematoriums and funeral homes, triggering concerns that the outbreak might be reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local news outlets, including Dailymail, attribute the current outbreak to Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a virus known for causing cold-like symptoms. However, Chinese health officials have not confirmed HMPV as the cause. Some reports draw comparisons to the “white lung” phenomenon that spiked during the winter of 2022-2023, when cases of mycoplasma pneumonia surged among children who had weakened immunity due to prolonged lockdowns and school closures.
Flu-Driven Surge
According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the ongoing outbreak appears to be largely driven by seasonal flu. The CDC’s latest report, covering the week leading up to December 29, reveals that 30% of flu tests came back positive, with one in seven hospitalized patients with severe respiratory symptoms testing positive for the virus.
Data from the CDC further indicates a notable rise in flu-like illnesses across China. In northern provinces, 7.2% of outpatient visits were due to flu-like symptoms, marking a 12% increase from the previous week. Meanwhile, in southern regions, 5.7% of outpatient visits were linked to flu-like illnesses, a 21% increase from the week before.
Reports from Hunan and Beyond
Videos showing overcrowded hospitals in Hunan province and other regions began circulating around New Year’s Eve. According to a report from Aboluowang News, a U.S.-based outlet covering China, a farmer in Hunan, Mr. Peng, stated that there had been a significant surge in illnesses in his area. “A lot of people have caught colds, and most of them are sick,” he shared. He also reported a concerning number of deaths in the area, noting that about seven or eight people had died within the week, mostly elderly individuals aged in their 40s to 80s.
The outbreak has also overwhelmed crematoriums. Ms. Wang, a funeral director in Hunan, described long lines for cremation services. “Today, three VIP furnaces were opened. They were all burning and emitting a lot of smoke. It was terrible. If you didn’t know about the crematorium, you would think it is selling New Year goods, like holding a trade fair during the Chinese New Year,” she said.
Personal Accounts and Precautions
A Chinese video blogger, known as “Please Fei Ge,” shared his own experience of falling ill after returning to his home province. He and his wife both had fever, body aches, and headaches. The couple isolated from their children to avoid transmitting the illness. The blogger remarked that the symptoms felt eerily similar to those experienced during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak. He urged others to wear masks in crowded places to avoid infection.
This recent surge follows a similar situation last year, when a spike in pneumonia cases among children led to viral videos of overcrowded hospitals, particularly in Beijing. At that time, Chinese authorities attributed the outbreaks to a resurgence of illnesses following the easing of pandemic restrictions.
As the viral outbreak continues to affect large swathes of the population, concerns about its spread and the strain on healthcare facilities are intensifying across the country.
