Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia notes that almost every child contracts HMPV by five years of age, with reinfections occurring throughout life. “HMPV typically causes cold-like symptoms that recover by themselves within 2 to 5 days. Severe cases are rare but can occur in vulnerable groups,” he says.

A surge in cases of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has prompted some alarm and led to fears of a possible new pandemic

India TV’s claims that HMPV is a mysterious virus, or speculation that a new virus may have arisen out of China, are false.

A mysterious viral outbreak is overwhelming some hospitals in China and prompting people to wear face masks again. Videos on social media appear to show medical units struggling with large numbers of patients. Parents were seen holding sick children amid long queues in paediatric care late at night.

The virus, first identified in 2001, is one of a handful of respiratory illnesses spreading this winter. This is what we know about the current outbreak. View on euronews