Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia notes that almost every child contracts HMPV by five years of age, with reinfections occurring throughout life. “HMPV typically causes cold-like symptoms that recover by themselves within 2 to 5 days. Severe cases are rare but can occur in vulnerable groups,” he says.

A mysterious viral outbreak is overwhelming some hospitals in China and prompting people to wear face masks again. Videos on social media appear to show medical units struggling with large numbers of patients. Parents were seen holding sick children amid long queues in paediatric care late at night.

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

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