Story by Vivian Bangamu
Chinese authorities have confirmed a surge in cases of the flu-like Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), especially among children, attributing this to a seasonal spike.
The authorities however said HMPV is not like COVID -19, with public health experts noting that the virus has been around for decades.
World Health Organization (WHO) has since allayed concerns, highlighting that HMPV was first identified in the Netherlands in 2001.
Reports say the virus in some very young children and people with weakened immune systems, can cause more serious illness.
HMPV is a virus that leads to a mild upper respiratory tract infection that is a coughing, fever and nasal congestion and is practically indistinguishable from the flu for most people.
The virus spreads through the air, direct contact between people or when someone touches surfaces contaminated with it.
