Human metapneumovirus is a common respiratory virus discovered in 2001 that causes an upper, and sometimes lower, respiratory infection, according to the World Health Organization website.

News outlets and social media posts have commented on the outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, suggesting that the little-known virus could cause a pandemic similar to COVID-19.

Cases of HMPV have been steadily increasing in the U.S. since November 2024 with 1.94% of weekly tests positive for HMPV as of Dec. 28, 2024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control ...

hMPV around the world. By the end of 2024, China saw a surprising spike in cases of hMPV—enough to catch the attention of public health experts. While there were some suggestions hospitals were ...

With HMPV back in the news, here's what you need to know about the virus and how you can protect yourself. Download USA TODAY's app to get to the heart of news Measles was eradicated in the US 25 ...

However, most experts agree that the likelihood of a COVID-like pandemic is low because variants of hMPV have circulated for decades, and many people have at least some level of immunity.

The human metapneumovirus, also known as HMPV, is reportedly surging in China, raising questions about what the illness is and if it's a concern to those in the U.S.. Officials in India have also ...

Reports of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a common respiratory illness that causes flu- and cold-like symptoms, are growing across the Northern Hemisphere, including in China, though neither the ...

While cases are climbing in China, the situation is very different from what it was when Covid-19 emerged five years ago, medical experts say. HMPV has circulated in humans for decades.