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)

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.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases are on the rise in northern China, especially among children. The virus has flu-like symptoms but can lead to serio

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.

A top medical research boffin has said more information is needed on the HMPV strain impacting China at the moment and 'if the virus causing high infection rates' has differences