The rise of the infection in China and reports of overwhelmed hospitals has prompted concerns about another pandemic similar to Covid-19, but experts say the risk is low

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.

Authorities in Beijing have downplayed surge in cases, which comes five years after world was first alerted to emergence of Covid-19

Cases of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, a contagious virus that can lead to respiratory disease, is reportedly spiking in northern China. Infectious disease experts say risk to the U.S. is low.