A ‘mystery illness’ that is reportedly causing overcrowded hospitals in China has seen a rise in people suffering from respiratory infections – but what exactly is it? In an effort to track and combat this ‘new’ virus, China has already put emergency measures in place as cases have begun to surge across northern Chinese provinces. It appears children are the main demographic affected by this unpleasant illness, with social media posts showing an influx of youngsters in hospitals with Covid-like symptoms.
Social media posts emerging from mainland China display photos and videos of people wearing masks in hospitals, with local reports suggesting these scenes eerily mirror the onset of Covid back in late 2019. As the numbers peak for those exhibiting symptoms such as fever, coughs and sore throats in China, studies suggest that the ‘mysterious illness’ has already reached UK shores, reports the Daily Star.
The virus is thought to be human metapneumovirus (HMPV) – a respiratory virus that inflicts the body with symptoms similar to the flu, the common cold and Covid. Like the three illnesses mentioned, HMPV can be mild with symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat and fatigue. It has an incubation period of three to six days, meaning you could be infected without showing symptoms during this time period.
However, HMPV can also present a significant risk to humans in more severe cases. This respiratory virus can lead to various complications, including pneumonia – a lung infection where the air sacs in the organ fill with fluid or puss, leading to breathing difficulties. The most severe cases of HMPV seem to be linked to children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems or pre-existing conditions.
Although many were initially baffled by this ‘mystery illness’, it’s not actually new but was first identified 24 years ago in 2001. The virus is only now causing concern due to its widespread impact across China and its supposed resemblance to the initial Covid outbreak just over five years ago.
