HMPV: What is the virus and should we be worried in the UK? [Video]

In recent days videos and photographs have been posted on Chinese social media purporting to show overwhelmed hospitals and emergency departments.

It’s been reported the surge in demand for hospital care is down to a rise in the cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) – a respiratory disease that causes flu or cold-like symptoms.

But a lack of data being released by China has caused concerned from other nations, with the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US stating it is “monitoring reports” of an increase in cases.

Beijing has pushed back against the concerns, explaining “respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season”.

Mao Ning, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, added that the cases “appear to be less severe and spread on a smaller scale compared with the previous year”.

ITV News explains what HMPV is and how many cases there are in the UK.

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