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.

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.

China is experiencing a surge in infections of a respiratory virus, leading to public concerns about an outbreak. The virus, identified as human metapneumovirus (HMPV), has seen cases spiking across northern Chinese provinces this winter, particularly among children.

The most common symptoms associated with HMPV are nasal congestion, cough, fever and shortness of breath, according to the CDC. In the U.S., the virus typically spreads between the winter and the spring seasons, the CDC indicated on its website.

Authorities in Beijing have downplayed surge in cases, which comes five years after world was first alerted to emergence of Covid-19

HMPV, or human metapneumovirus, is currently surging in China, with children and the elderly said to be most at risk from the virus

As much as we'd love to kick a new year off with a fresh slate and clean bill of health, sadly the reality is often very different: it seems like everyone is coming down with a cold or some virus or another right now.

High levels of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been reported in parts of China. The news has sparked some concern, no doubt reminding people of a certain virus that erupted from this part of the world almost exactly five years ago.