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.

Authorities in China said they are monitoring cases of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, after a reported increase inside the country, according to Reuters. Although cases are increasing at a rapid rate,

Cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and other seasonal viruses are on the rise across the northern hemisphere in early 2025, according to the World Health Organization. While news reports and social media videos have caused concern about a potential HMPV outbreak in China,

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.

HMPV is a respiratory virus that regularly circulates during cold and flu season. It is spread through coughing, sneezing and coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. It presents as common cold symptoms including cough,

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.

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

Amid a surge in respiratory infections in China, officials have confirmed an increase in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a virus that is common globally but less recognized by the public. Despite the rising numbers,

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