KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 8 -- The recent Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China has raised global concerns, echoing memories of the Covid-19 pandemic that brought the world to a standstill a few years ago.

While China and India step up monitoring the situation following the detection of new cases, Malaysia remains on alert for a potential outbreak.

Here's what we know about the virus so far:

What is HMPV virus?

It is a virus that causes respiratory tract infections.

Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, it primarily affects the respiratory system, much like several other viruses that commonly affect humans.

Generally, it is a common respiratory virus that causes lower and upper respiratory infections similar to a common cold, flu...