Social media accounts circulated a video claiming to show clashes in China due to the spread of the “HMPV” virus. The video was shared with the following caption: “HMPV virus invades China… State of emergency declared amid fears of a global pandemic.”
Kashif verified the video via Google Images and found that it was falsely linked to recent emergency measures in China related to the “HMPV” virus. The video is old and dates back to 2022, depicting clashes in Shanghai during forced evictions aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, not the recent HMPV outbreak.
The Telegraph published a Report on 5/4/2022 that included clips, including the circulated video, documenting confrontations in Shanghai. It stated that the clashes occurred as authorities forced residents to vacate their homes to convert them into quarantine centers under the “Zero COVID” policy. The video showed residents pleading with officials amid screams and tears.
The same circulated video was published on.
Serbestiyet on 18/4/2022 in an article titled: “Zero COVID: Clashes Between Police and Citizens in Shanghai,” showing similar footage and explaining that the confrontations took place at a residential complex scheduled for evacuation due to quarantine measures.
A New York Post Report on 15/4/022 contained video clips from different angles of the same incident. It reported that “angry residents in Shanghai clashed with hazmat-suited police after authorities ordered them to vacate their homes to accommodate COVID-19 patients.”
The video was also shared on YouTube on 16.4.2022 by Akhbar Alaan Archive with the title: “What’s happening in Shanghai… Violence and suppression against COVID-19 protesters in China.” The description noted that protesters were being dragged by authorities to detention centers in a brutal manner.
China has indeed implemented emergency measures in response to the spread of the new Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). However, Beijing has downplayed its significance, labeling it a typical winter phenomenon.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared the outbreak a global health emergency, despite the rise in cases prompting Chinese authorities to strengthen surveillance systems.
According to The Economic Timeson 3/1/2025 (January 3, 2025), Chinese health officials and WHO have not confirmed an epidemic or emergency status related to HMPV.
video does not depict recent events or HMPV-related measures but rather COVID-19-related protests in Shanghai in 2022.
| Sources of Claim | Sources of Verification |
Daoud Hamdi Dr.Sam Youssef Ph.D.,M.Sc.,DPT. عبود Abood مجموعات على تطبيق واتساب “Groups on WhatsApp app | serbestiyet تلغراف telegraph New York post أرشيف أخبار الآن Akhbar Al Aan Archive الحرة alhurra التلفزيون العربي alaraby الشرق الأوسط Middle East The Economic Time |