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

News that northern China is seeing a surge of the respiratory illness called human metapneumovirus (HMPV), bringing an uptick in hospitalizations, is sparking a bit of anxious déjà vu on social media.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases are surging in China and people are worried about another pandemic. Should they be? HMPV is a upper respiratory tract

HMPV is a virus that will lead to a mild upper respiratory tract infection—practically indistinguishable from flu

Most HMPV infections are mild, resembling bouts of the common cold. But severe cases can result in bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly among infants, older adults and immunocompromised people. Patients with pre-existing lung conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema, are at higher risk of severe outcomes.

China’s winter illness season is less severe compared to the year before, according to data from its health authority. But the proliferation of a long-standing though little-known pathogen called human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been raising alarm both at home and in other countries.

During a conference in Brussels on Wednesday, European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrnčířová addressed media reports concerning the situation in China. She highlighted the rise in metapneumovirus infections in the region but emphasized that,

HMPV is attracting a lot of interest because it is not a household name, but it was discovered in 2001, WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said in Geneva.