Hospitals in China are grappling with a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses, sparking fears of a potential new outbreak as face masks reappear in public spaces.
Videos circulating on social media depict overcrowded hospital wards, long queues of parents with sick children, and patients wearing masks in tightly packed facilities. Unverified reports have also suggested that crematoriums and funeral homes are overwhelmed, drawing comparisons to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local media, including the Daily Mail, have linked the outbreak to human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a virus that typically causes mild cold-like symptoms. However, Chinese health authorities have yet to officially confirm the cause.
Rising Flu Cases and Historical Parallels
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attributes the latest surge to seasonal influenza. Official data reveals that 30% of respiratory tests have returned positive for influenza, while one in seven hospitalized cases of severe respiratory illness has tested positive.
In its latest report, covering the week leading up to December 29, the Chinese CDC noted significant increases in flu-like symptoms nationwide. Northern provinces reported that 7.2% of outpatient visits were flu-related, a 12% rise from the previous week, marking the highest rate for this period since 2021. Southern regions reported a 5.7% rate, reflecting a 21% weekly increase.
The situation has drawn comparisons to winter 2022/23, when cases of mycoplasma pneumonia—dubbed “white lung”—spiked among children with weakened immunity after prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns.
Reports from Affected Regions
Aboluowang News, a U.S.-based outlet covering China, shared testimonies from Hunan province, where videos of overcrowded hospitals surfaced around New Year’s Eve. A farmer from the region, identified as Mr. Peng, described a sharp rise in illnesses:
“A lot of people have caught colds, and most of them are unwell. About seven or eight people died this week in this area, ranging in age from their 40s to their 80s,” he said.
Ms. Wang, a funeral director, spoke about the strain on crematoriums:
“There are long lines for cremation now. Today, three VIP furnaces were opened. They were all burning and emitting a lot of smoke. It was terrible. If you didn’t know it was a crematorium, you’d think it was a New Year’s trade fair.”
Personal Accounts Add to Concerns
A Chinese video blogger, known as “Please Fei Ge,” shared his experience of falling ill after returning to his home province. He and his wife reportedly suffered from fever, body aches, and headaches, prompting them to isolate from their children.
“This feeling is exactly the same as when I got ‘yang’ back then. It’s very uncomfortable. If you still remember that feeling, wear a mask when you go out in crowded places,” he cautioned.
The current outbreak echoes last year’s surge in mysterious pneumonia cases among children, which overwhelmed hospitals in Beijing. At the time, authorities attributed the spike to a resurgence of illnesses after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
Chinese officials have yet to confirm the cause of the recent wave of illnesses, leaving citizens and global observers on edge as the situation unfolds.
