Karnataka MLA Ravikumar recalls visit to China, raises alarm over possible corona-like outbreak

Ravikumar Gowda Ganiga, a Congress MLA from Karnataka's Mandya, has raised concerns following his recent visit to China amid reports of a growing health crisis. Ganiga, upon returning to India, described how around 80% of people in China were seen wearing masks, a scene he found strikingly reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic. He also mentioned that children were undergoing routine tests, and sanitizers were widely available in public places, signaling a heightened health alert.

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Ganiga suspects the outbreak of a Covid-like illness, potentially linked to human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a virus known for causing flu-like symptoms similar to Covid-19. He pointed out the significant precautionary measures in place across China, with people appearing increasingly cautious about potential respiratory illnesses. The Hong Kong airport, according to Ganiga, was filled with masked travelers, further indicating the scale of concern.

His observations coincide with reports of rising respiratory infections in China, with children’s hospitals under pressure due to increasing pneumonia cases, including the alarming "white lung" condition. While rumors of a state of emergency have circulated, they remain unconfirmed. In response to the surge, China’s disease control authority has introduced a monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin, aiming to improve preparedness as respiratory diseases are expected to rise through the winter.