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)

China is currently battling an outbreak of HMPV, a virus that causes cold-like symptoms, after it was detected in the city of Xian on December 16 last year.

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

Public health advice for HMPV is similar to that for flu, said John Tregoning, professor in vaccine immunology at Imperial College London. "Protecting yourself by being in well-ventilated (spaces), covering your mouth when you cough (and) washing your hands will all help," he said.

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.

The HMPV outbreak is currently overwhelming hospitals in China but Beijing says respiratory infections are "less severe" and "smaller in scale" compared to last year

A recent outbreak of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China is raising alarm bells about a possible new pandemic. As images of overcrowded hospitals and masked patients flooded social media, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its advice,