Another similarity to COVID: A case of HMPV can last about a week, with symptoms peaking around the third day, Dr. Hoy told us. However, you can still be contagious for several days after you're feeling better and your symptoms subside. This is especially the case for patients with compromised or weakened immune systems.

Cases are climbing in China, but the situation is very different from when COVID-19 emerged five years ago, medical experts say. HMPV is common and decades old.

Texas Department of State Health Services data showed less than 50 HMPV-positive cases each week in December across the state.

In today’s health headlines, the HMPV virus and what you need to know. Plus, wildfire smoke and air quality, and is iodine deficiency an emerging health issue? Dr. Arjun chair of emergency medicine at Yale School of Medicine and Yale Medicine joined Good Morning Connecticut at 9 a.

Following a surge in cases overseas, find out more about HMPV including symptoms, how it spreads, UK cases and should we be worried.

HMPV was discovered by scientists in the Netherlands more than 20 years ago, but has likely been circulating in humans for the last 60 years. It is a respiratory virus that causes symptoms similar to the common cold and flu.