What is it?
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic originating from China had a profound impact globally, affecting millions of lives, physically and emotionally ,disrupting economies, and challenging healthcare systems. China declaring a recent surge of human metapneumo virus cases has spread a wave of fear among the masses for the possible covid like pandemic. However, recently, China declared that it has not spread as a pandemic and no threat as such exists. But what is it and is it new to the world as thought among the general population!?
The answer is no! It’s not. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of the viruses that causes the common cold (upper respiratory infection). It usually makes people only mildly sick except in an immuno-compromised host. The human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was discovered in 2001. It spreads via respiratory droplets through sick contact. Prevention is the same as we all followed during the COVID pandemic.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency informs us that
hMPV is a common respiratory infection in winter. Most people have had hMPV by the time they are five years old and catch it again throughout their lives.

Hmp is at rise as expected during winters .So, it may be that you already have recovered from it, unknowingly, as people with common cold do not get diagnostic testing. For elderly and immunocompromised hosts, it may cause a severe illness. Prof Antonia Ho, Professor and Hononary Consultant of Infectious Diseases, Medical Research Council-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research informed us about hMPV.  According to her, hMPV is probably less well studied, compared to other respiratory viruses, such as flu, SARS-CoV-2 than RSV.

Prevention

Prevention including hand hygiene, avoiding sick contacts, use of a face mask is all that is required.