HMPV: Political Weapon or Health Threat?

Current media reports on a mysterious respiratory disease spreading in China evoke memories of the early days of the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, this heightened attention reflects the post-pandemic world’s increased sensitivity to outbreaks. While vigilance is essential, it can sometimes lead to exaggerated perceptions of threat, particularly for diseases that are well understood by medical experts. However, looking at international media provides a broader perspective—could the West, with its strained relations with China, be using the virus to further isolate China geopolitically? In other words, is the virus being weaponised against China?