Fernan Carigma

On January 2, posts circulated online announcing that China declared a state of emergency amid the upward threat of respiratory illnesses such as Influenza A, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19.


CLAIM: A recent Facebook post from the Philippine Weather System/Pacific Storm Update reported that China declared a state of emergency due to a significant increase in respiratory illnesses. This surge includes cases of Influenza A, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19.

RATING: FALSE

CONCLUSION: China has not declared a state of emergency despite the increasing cases of respiratory illnesses like Influenza A, HMPV, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. 

To manage respiratory infections, China's disease control agency announced on December 27 that it is testing a monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin.

Kan Biao, an official at the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, stated that China is expected to face various respiratory infectious diseases during the winter and spring seasons.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recently released the latest monitoring data on respiratory infectious diseases nationwide. The data reveals a concerning upward trend in acute respiratory infections, including a significant increase in influenza cases. 

Additionally, there is a rising incidence of infections caused by human metapneumovirus (HMPV).

Chinese medical professionals clarified that HMPV is a virus responsible for causing acute respiratory infections, mainly impacting infants, young children, and those with compromised immune systems, and it can potentially result in bronchiolitis, asthma, and pneumonia.