And now, the human metapneumovirus, or HMPV for short, is infecting thousands of Americans around the country. The highly contagious virus, which belongs to the same group as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),

Reports of human metapneumovirus cases surging in northern China during the winter season have been circulating on news outlets internationally. The country had seen an increase, especially in children,

In China, reports of HMPV infections have indeed been rising in recent weeks in the more northerly regions. But so have reports of all the other respiratory pathogens including seasonal flu, rhinovirus and RSV.

While cases are climbing in China, the situation is very different from what it was when Covid-19 emerged five years ago, medical experts say. HMPV has circulated in humans for decades.

The National Health and Research Council defines Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) as “a respiratory virus that causes a mild infection similar to a common cold or respiratory syncytial virus infection.”

The increase in cases of this pathogen in China resurrects old fears. Experts include it in the package of known winter viruses. China has done it again. The announcement of an increase in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has raised alarms,

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) spreads rapidly in China, causing respiratory illnesses, with rising cases also reported in India.

Five years on from the first news of COVID, recent reports of an obscure respiratory virus in China may understandably raise concerns.