As cases of the HMPV virus continue to increase in the U.S. and in China, here's what you need to know about the virus.

Seven people there have contracted the virus as of Tuesday, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research.Chinese health officials have not confirmed that HMPV is what is driving hospitalizations in the country,

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 is common and decades old.

Dr Andrew Catchpole, chief scientific officer at challenge trial and laboratory services company hVIVO, said rates of serious hMPV “may be higher in China than what we would expect in a normal year”. More information is needed to understand whether the circulating strain was different from previous ones he said, but there is no need to panic.

Plenty of viruses are having their strongest season for years. But experts have urged calm about HMPV, which is not a new disease — even if you've never heard about it.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is the newest virus name making the rounds after upticks have been reported in China, India and even the U.S. What we know.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is a reported spike in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, and they are monitoring it closely.