The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States is monitoring the growth of a new virus in China

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are closely monitoring cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, while the United States is seeing an increase in cases.

The CDC reported that there is still no reason for concern regarding the HMPV from China.

The CDC added that they were aware of the cases reported in northern China, after Beijing confirmed that the rates of positive cases had increased in children under 14 years old.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that respiratory illness in the United States is at "pre-pandemic" levels and is not a cause for concern. The human metapneumovirus could be mistaken for a common cold, with symptoms such as cough, fever, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and difficulty breathing, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Due to its resemblance to the common cold, it was only discovered in 2001 and was only present during winter peaks, when the flu increases.

According to the CDC, around 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized with HMPV each year.

Risks in these age groups

Like any respiratory infection, "HMPV can be especially severe in young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The Chinese government appeared to reject claims that HMPV cases were skyrocketing in the country, sparking fears of another pandemic similar to COVID that ravaged the world in 2020," as reported by the NY Post on its website.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said, “respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season. The diseases appear to be less severe and spreading on a smaller scale compared to last year,” the office added.

In the case of the United States, out of 13,800 people examined for respiratory illnesses, only 1.94% tested positive for HMPV, according to the CDC.