Nigeria, Jan. 27 -- It's been weeks since the news of another 'strange' virus broke. Equally strange and even frightening is the fact that it's said to be spreading fast in China. Anyhow one looks at it, there is every cause to worry or panic. This is more so when one remembers the mystery that surrounded COVID-19, which is generally believed to have originated from China. It's unfathomable that about five years down the line, China is again having to explain to the world what is happening in that region.

Known as human metapneumovirus (hMPV), this is one of the viruses that cause the common cold (upper respiratory infection). It belongs to the Pneumoviridae family of viruses, along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It spreads just...