Claims of new virus outbreak in China flood social media even as COVID-19’s impact remains unknown

A surge of online claims has ignited fears of a "new epidemic" in China, with allegations of overcrowded hospitals, overwhelmed crematoriums, and a variety of viruses spreading rapidly. Some suggest that China is hiding the true extent of the crisis. However, health experts urge caution and a closer examination of the facts.

Though reports say there has been a noticeable rise in respiratory illnesses in China, but it is not indicative of a new epidemic. Both the Chinese government and the World Health Organization (WHO) have not declared a state of emergency or issued any formal health alerts. Despite the online rumours, there is no indication of a new pandemic.

The surge in cases has reportedly impacted children and the elderly. Children, with developing immune systems, and the elderly, especially those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are at higher risk of severe complications. Symptoms generally resemble those of the flu or cold, including fever, cough, and runny nose. In some cases, the illness can progress to conditions like bronchitis or pneumonia.

Experts point to cold weather and the return to normalcy after COVID-19 as contributing factors. During the pandemic, strict lockdowns and limited social interactions reduced the spread of many viruses, leaving vulnerable groups, especially children, with less exposure to common pathogens. As people resume normal activities, a “catch-up” period is underway, impacting more susceptible individuals.

While claims of overcrowded hospitals and rapid viral spread have circulated, these often lack credible evidence. Influenza A remains the leading cause of respiratory illness this winter, with hMPV also contributing to the surge. However, hMPV, first identified in 2001, is not new and causes seasonal outbreaks. 

The true global impact of COVID-19 remains unknown

Five years ago, a cluster of people in Wuhan, China, became ill from a virus never before seen in the world. This unknown germ eventually sparked a pandemic, revealing deep inequities in the global health system and reshaping public views on how emerging viruses should be controlled.

Though the virus is still with us, humanity has built immunity through vaccinations and infections. While it’s less deadly now compared to its early days, and no longer the leading cause of death, scientists continue to monitor its evolving nature.

Scientists have yet to confirm the exact origin of the virus. The leading theory suggests the virus circulated in bats and then infected other species, likely racoon dogs, civet cats, or bamboo rats, which then infected humans handling or butchering those animals in a Wuhan market. However, the debate remains unresolved, with some speculating that the virus may have leaked from one of the research labs in Wuhan. The complexities of the investigation are compounded by political tensions and claims that China has withheld crucial evidence.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 7 million deaths were reported globally, but the true toll is likely more than three times that number. In the U.S., around 900 COVID-19 deaths occurred weekly in the past year, with older adults particularly vulnerable. WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized, “We cannot talk about COVID in the past, since it’s still with us.”

Thanks to unprecedented collaboration, COVID-19 vaccines were developed and rolled out rapidly. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, approved less than a year after the virus was identified, were pivotal in saving millions of lives. Despite challenges in vaccine access for poorer nations, over 13 billion doses have been administered globally since 2021. However, the vaccines have limitations, requiring updates to address new variants, similar to flu vaccines.

The COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, with variants like Delta and Omicron causing global waves of infection. Omicron, which emerged in late 2021, spread rapidly and became dominant, although it generally caused less severe disease than previous variants. Scientists are closely monitoring the omicron subvariant XEC, now the dominant strain in the U.S. Although less harmful than earlier strains, it remains a concern for health authorities.

Millions are grappling with long COVID, a condition where symptoms such as fatigue, “brain fog,” and pain persist for months or even years after initial infection. While vaccination may reduce the risk, researchers are still unsure why some individuals develop long COVID. Growing evidence suggests that remnants of the virus may persist in some patients’ bodies long after infection, though the full causes remain unclear.