Massive Dengue Fever Outbreak in Guangdong, Public Accuses CCP of Covering Up the Truth

The latest data on the dengue fever outbreak in Guangdong claims that in Week 41, the number of cases in Foshan decreased by 115 compared to the previous week (Week 40). However, the public has openly criticized these figures, accusing the CCP of falsifying data and covering up the severity of the situation. (Screenshot from the web)

October 18, 2024 – The dengue fever outbreak in Guangdong has worsened over the past month, with hospitals overwhelmed and dengue patients in Foshan experiencing high fevers of 40°C but being unable to receive hospital treatment, forcing them to manage at home. The Guangdong Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released numbers showing only four severe cases and no deaths, but these figures have sparked public outrage, with many accusing authorities of falsifying data to downplay the severity of the outbreak. Some have claimed that many elderly individuals with underlying health conditions have died as a result.

Public Claims: Over 10,000 Cases in Foshan, Authorities Downplaying the Numbers

On October 16, the Guangdong CDC released data for Week 41 (October 7 to October 13), reporting 2,005 new dengue cases across the province, with four new severe cases and no deaths. The top three cities were Foshan with 462 cases, Guangzhou with 436, and Shenzhen with 209. In Week 40, the CDC had reported 1,770 new cases, also with no severe cases or deaths, with Foshan leading with 617 cases, followed by Guangzhou with 251, and Shenzhen with 112.

According to the authorities, from Week 37 to Week 40, Foshan reported 1,522 new cases of dengue fever, while Guangzhou had 833 and Zhongshan reported 326. Over the past four weeks, there were 4,476 new dengue cases in the province, averaging over 1,000 new cases per week.

While Foshan consistently ranks first in dengue case numbers, the authorities reported 155 fewer cases in Week 41 compared to Week 40.

Many people do not believe the official data, with numerous individuals openly criticizing the authorities in comment sections, accusing them of covering up the truth.

On October 15, a local blogger, "YZH Xiaoshangpin," publicly accused the authorities of fabricating data, stating, "I think there could be over 10,000 cases in Foshan. We know dozens of people who are infected nearby. Right now, you have to pay at Foshan hospitals and wait for a bed, but who knows how long the wait will be."

On October 16, several other local residents in the comments section also refuted the official figures, saying, "They won’t even allow testing, so how are there new cases?" Another commenter added, "Yes, they don’t allow testing," while others mentioned that "many people are buying medicine or going to private hospitals for treatment, and those cases aren't being reported."

On October 13, a Guangdong-based blogger, "Lemon Flavored Egg," used her mother’s case as an example to expose the authorities’ alleged falsification of data. She stated, "When we went to the hospital for testing, they only said it was a viral infection. There are infected people everywhere, far more than what they are reporting. The hospital didn’t diagnose my mom with dengue fever, but the medication they prescribed was for treating dengue. They also asked her to come back in a few days for more blood tests. Clearly, it’s dengue, but there are no hospital beds available, so this is the only option."

She also emphasized that the government has not taken the issue seriously, stating, "There have hardly been any mosquito extermination efforts this year. Even though the situation is so severe, there are no visible emergency measures—just silencing people and forbidding discussion."

Another user, "Coffee Lemon Tea," agreed, saying, "Yes, they can't report too many cases to higher-ups. Those who know, know."

Residents of Guicheng Street in Nanhai District, Foshan, shared similar experiences. One resident mentioned, "My mom went to a community health hospital near a market in Guicheng, and they wouldn't allow her to test for the dengue virus. They only did a routine blood test and diagnosed her with dengue fever because her white blood cells and neutrophils were low."

She further criticized the authorities, stating, "After several years of the COVID mask period, they’re still using the same old method of turning a blind eye. It's unbelievable."

On October 12, a Foshan blogger, "No Cilantro Please," publicly posted that the dengue outbreak in Foshan was becoming more rampant, with seven or eight people around her getting infected. "Family members who had dengue still feel weak even after the fever subsided. Today at work, I heard that seven or eight more people with dengue went to the hospital. A few days ago, the hospital queue was over 600 people, mostly middle-aged and elderly. The weather in Foshan has warmed up again, and the mosquitoes are increasing. Are there any better preventive measures? There's been no sign of disinfecting the neighborhood, and I'm really afraid my child might catch it."

The worsening dengue outbreak in Foshan has led to hospital queues reaching 600, with authorities refusing to allow official testing. Some people have remarked that the actual number of infections is likely much higher than official data suggests. (Image from the web)

Some patients shared in the comment section that they were only given verbal diagnoses. One patient, "Bubu Lazy," said, "For example, in my case, the doctor gave a verbal diagnosis but wouldn't allow any testing."

Another user, "Grateful for Everything," replied, "It might be intervention from the CDC! They won't let you get a confirmed diagnosis! Otherwise, the number of zeroes in the official count wouldn't be enough."

Another commenter, "Orange Morning," added, "I went today as well. Several of my relatives were diagnosed verbally."

On the same day, a Guangdong-based doctor and blogger, "GUN," revealed, "The number of dengue cases in Foshan has exceeded 10,000. In our hospital alone, there were over 300 cases in the emergency room in just one day."

Another blogger, "momo," agreed, saying, "It feels like the reported data is falsified. You can tell by just visiting the hospital that the numbers are much higher than reported."

A blogger named "Peppermint Leaf" remarked, "Even if you double the reported numbers, it wouldn't be enough."

Another blogger, "Speaker without Intent," said, "Add an extra zero to the reported numbers."

A user named "Quickly Get Ashore" shared details from their own community, stating, "Several people in one building are infected. I suspect there are many more cases in Foshan. The government hasn't had money to spray for insects or maintain trees for two years now."

Another Guangdong resident, "Sensen," agreed, saying, "Honestly, the number is at least in the tens of thousands."

On October 15, a medical staff member from Nanhai, Foshan, also disclosed in the comment section, "It's quite serious. I work in a hospital in Nanhai, and there are no more beds available. Many of the patients have dengue, and there's a lot of hospital-acquired infections—it's scary."

Authorities Report Zero Dengue Deaths, Public Exposes the Reality

In the National Health Commission’s 2024 dengue fever treatment guidelines, it is stated that high-risk groups for severe illness include those over 65 years of age, individuals with hypertension, diabetes, chronic liver or kidney disease, obesity, malnutrition, late-term pregnancy, and those experiencing a second dengue infection. It also notes that these individuals are more likely to develop severe complications and even die from dengue fever.

However, the public believes that the data released by the Guangdong CDC is falsified, not only in terms of infection numbers but also regarding the number of severe cases and deaths.

A blogger focused on dengue, "Guardian of Health 666," pointed out that Guangdong has long been known as a hepatitis B hotspot. While the number of infections has declined since newborns started receiving hepatitis B vaccinations, many older residents are hepatitis B carriers or have chronic hepatitis. He expressed concern that this would increase the number of severe dengue cases in Guangdong.

On October 16, a Guangdong-based blogger, "Wyvern," publicly refuted the official report of zero dengue deaths, posting, "My grandfather just passed away this morning from dengue fever... but I’m sure this won’t be included in the official statistics."

Following this, another user, "Motorcycle Nara," commented, "Including your case, I've already seen on Xiaohongshu [Little Red Book] that between August and October, there have been 21 reported dengue deaths."

In the comment section of an October 15 article from Shangguan News about the dengue outbreak in Guangzhou, a Chinese-American user shared that a friend in Foshan recently died from dengue fever, emphasizing, "This is a real case."

On October 13, a blogger named "Weird Cat" also revealed, "My cousin's uncle, who lived in Foshan, died of dengue fever. He only had mild hypertension, no serious underlying conditions. Zhongshan is another severely affected area—many patients have been transferred to the Fifth People’s Hospital."

On October 14, a music teacher from Guangdong also publicly criticized the official numbers, stating, "Many elderly people haven’t survived and have passed away, yet the data remains concealed."

The medical blogger "gun" agreed, saying that low white blood cell counts in infections make it harder for the elderly to survive.

Health Commission's Press Conference Ignored Dengue Fever

On October 8, after the National Day holiday, the National Health Commission held a themed press conference titled "Seasonal Weather and Health." Attendees included the Commission's spokesperson, Mi Feng, as well as prominent doctors and researchers from institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Academy of Medical Sciences, and Beijing Chaoyang Hospital. The discussion covered seasonal health issues like influenza, pneumonia, hypertension, and even obesity. However, there was no mention of the ongoing dengue fever outbreak in Guangdong or how the public should protect themselves.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong authorities recently reported eight dengue cases, five of which had visited Foshan, two had been to Guangzhou, and one had traveled to several cities in Guangdong.

According to publicly available information, dengue fever is an acute infectious disease spread by mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus. Typical symptoms include high fever, as well as the "three reds" (red eyes, face, and skin) and "three pains" (headache, eye pain, and joint pain). The most effective way to prevent dengue fever is to avoid mosquito bites. Temperatures in mainland China around the end of October typically range from 20°C to 30°C, which is ideal for mosquito breeding.

Editor: Sun Yun