News of a respiratory virus spreading in China and footage of crowded hospitals has predictably led to panic among the people of the world, who are concerned that the human metapneumovirus (HMPV)

WHO has further stated that HMPV is a common respiratory virus found to circulate in many countries in winter through to spring and added that while some cases could require hospitalisation with bronchitis or pneumonia, most people infected with HMPV have mild upper respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold and recover after a few days.

Dr Michael Head said HMPV is 'already present' in the UK but pinpointed a crucial difference between the recent outbreak in northern China and the Covid-19 pandemic

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.

Cases are climbing in China, but the situation is very different from when COVID-19 emerged five years ago, medical experts say. HMPV is common and decades old.