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.

Even as the world fixates on hMPV, a genuine pandemic threat is emerging in the form of H5N1 bird flu. The virus has jumped to cows and spread across the country through dairy herds, poultry farms and even zoos, infecting millions of animals and dozens of people, the vast majority of them farm workers.

Plenty of viruses are having their strongest season for years. But experts have urged calm about HMPV, which is not a new disease — even if you've never heard about it.

As China continues to monitor an increase in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), here's what you need to know about the illness.

The human metapneumovirus is reportedly surging in China, but should Americans be concerned? Here's what to know about HMPV symptoms and more.

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.

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