As China had already implemented strict public health measures, such as lockdowns, mass testing, quarantine protocols, and travel restrictions, during various COVID-19 waves, a viral post recently circulated widely claiming that China declared a state of emergency due to a surge in respiratory illnesses, including Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumonia, and COVID-19. Despite significant attention and reactions, Fact Crescendo has confirmed that the claim is misleading.
Social Media Claim
Recently, a claim posted on Facebook quickly went viral with the headline “China declared a state of emergency”. The post rapidly gained traction, sparking significant user reactions, comments, and shares across the platform.
Many users around the globe were shocked by the announcement, discussing the potential new wave of virus mentioned in the post. Dated January 2, 2025, the Facebook post created a buzz, leading people to believe it was real.
For more information and specifics regarding this post, you can find the details below.
The following post, which has gained attention online, was also shared by a Facebook user who stated, “China has declared a state of emergency in response to a significant surge in respiratory illnesses. Hospitals across the nation are reportedly overwhelmed, with reports of increased mortality rates and crematoriums operating beyond capacity”.
A similar claim has also been observed and shared by another Facebook user. This repetition highlights the viral nature of the claim and its ability to spread across social media. Facebook Post | Archived Link
The same screenshot, along with the identical claim, has also been observed and shared by another X user.
This repetition highlights the viral nature of the claim and its ability to spread across different platforms, with the claim stating, “⚠️ BREAKING: China 🇨🇳 Declares State of Emergency as Epidemic Overwhelms Hospitals and Crematoriums”.
Similarly, the above post claim was also found and posted on X recently, with a claim pointing to China declaring a state of emergency following an overwhelming surge in respiratory illnesses.
Given the claim’s extensive dissemination and the considerable attention, it has received from the internet community, we believed it was necessary to perform a fact-check on the above subject.
Fact Check
Fact Crescendo monitors and verifies such claims using the latest news reports from reliable media sources and official announcements, which led us to the following conclusion:
As of this article published, there had been no official reports or announcements indicating that China had declared a formal state of emergency specifically in response to a surge in respiratory illnesses such as influenza A, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), mycoplasma pneumonia, or COVID-19.
Although respiratory illnesses have been a significant concern globally in recent years, including in China, the country has not taken this drastic step, at least by late 2023.
Based on the latest updates from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Fact Crescendo team has found no official declaration of a public health emergency or any unusual escalation in respiratory illness cases warranting such a response.
The most recent reports show that the WHO has not labelled these illnesses as a global threat or confirmed a widespread crisis in China. The organization routinely monitors global health data, and while respiratory illnesses are common during certain seasons, they have not met the threshold for an emergency declaration.
You can find the details below for more information and specifics regarding this latest announcement.
World Health Organization (WHO) | Archived Link
China’s health system and government response to respiratory diseases have been the subject of intense scrutiny, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019. The country had implemented a range of stringent public health measures, including lockdowns, mass testing, quarantine protocols, and travel restrictions, during different waves of COVID-19 infections.
However, by 2023, after the country abandoned its “Zero COVID” policy in late 2022, China experienced a major wave of COVID-19 infections, which significantly impacted its healthcare system. Despite these challenges, the government had not declared a formal state of emergency, which is typically reserved for more severe or widespread crises, like natural disasters, widespread civil unrest, or extremely high mortality rates from infectious diseases.
Reuters News Report | Archived Link
In addition to COVID-19, China has faced annual surges in seasonal flu and other respiratory infections, but these have generally been managed without declaring a national emergency. The country’s healthcare infrastructure, though strained at times, has been capable of handling surges in respiratory illnesses, particularly with the deployment of vaccines and antiviral treatments. There were also efforts to control the spread of these illnesses through public health campaigns and restrictions when necessary.
A search for the term “Emergency” on Xinhua’s website, China’s official news agency, found no relevant results corroborating the claim that China declared a state of emergency due to a surge in respiratory illnesses. This suggests the claim may be exaggerated or misinterpreted, as Xinhua would likely report on such a declaration if it were official.
Xinhua News Report | Archived Link
Fact Crescendo found that China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning, did not address or confirm the claims of an emergency declaration during her most recent press conference on January 2, 2025. There was no official mention of such a declaration, despite the widespread speculation circulating on social media. This absence of acknowledgment from key government representatives casts doubt on the veracity of the viral claim, suggesting that it is not supported by any official statements or actions.
For more information and specifics regarding this press conference, you can find the details below.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs The People’s Republic of China | Archived Link
According to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory, last updated on November 27, 2024, there were no mentions of any massive health emergencies, indicating that no significant new health crisis in China was deemed urgent enough to warrant specific travel warnings.
The U.S. Department of State Link | Archived Link
What do we know about HMPV?
HMPV stands for Human Metapneumovirus, a virus that primarily causes respiratory infections.
- Symptoms: HMPV infections can range from mild to severe, particularly in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms often include:
- Cough,
- Fever,
- Shortness of breath,
- Nasal congestion,
- Sore throat,
- Wheezing,
- In some cases, it can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
- Transmission: HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the face.
- Diagnosis and Treatment: Diagnosing HMPV typically involves lab tests such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to detect the virus in respiratory samples. There is no specific antiviral treatment for HMPV, and care typically focuses on managing symptoms. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required, especially if pneumonia or difficulty breathing develops.
- Prevention: Preventing HMPV involves similar measures to those for other respiratory infections, such as good hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
While HMPV is less commonly discussed than other respiratory viruses like influenza or RSV, it can still lead to significant health issues, particularly in vulnerable populations.
National Library of Medicine Link | Archived Link
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Conclusion
Fact Crescendo found that the claim, accompanied by the photo posted on social media, is misleading. As of January 2025, China had not declared a formal state of emergency due to a surge in respiratory illnesses like influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumonia, or COVID-19. While the country faced health challenges, no such emergency was declared at this time.
Title:Has China Declared a State of Emergency Over Respiratory Illnesses?
Written By: Kakada SimResult: Misleading
