Brits have been issued a warning over the symptoms of a flu-like virus currently sweeping .

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases have been in parts of the country, particularly amongst children. Pictures emerging from Chinese show people masking up in packed waiting rooms as Beijing acknowledges the surge.

A rise in cases has also been reported in India, Malaysia and Kazakhstan. Now UKHSA data has revealed cases of the virus, which can be serious and even deadly among infants and clinically vulnerable patients, are slightly up from this time last year.

Some 4.53% of patients visiting UK with respiratory complaints tested positive for the virus in the seven days up to December 23, government data shows, almost double what it was in the first week of the month. symptoms are often mistaken for a common cold or flu, with most young children being struck with it by the age of five.

READ MORE:

HMPV is a virus resulting in cold-like symptoms including a cough, fever and a runny or blocked nose. Like , it's spread through droplet particles in the air, either from coughing or sneezing, or left on surfaces.

The most vulnerable are children under two and those with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients currently receiving chemotherapy. Public health experts have warned the virus is not like the onset of Covid experienced five years ago, but that Brits should not get complacent about the risk as many could be spreading it to vulnerable people without knowing it.

Dr Hsu Li Yang, an infectious diseases physician in Singapore, told the that a "small but significant proportion" of clinically vulnerable patients could develop more serious respiratory diseases after catching HMPV. "Many will require hospital care, with a smaller proportion at risk of dying from the infection," Dr Hsu said.

The current spike is expected to last until March, when winter temperatures begin to pick up. Brits have been urged to exercise precaution, including by wearing masks in crowded places and avoiding crowds where possible if you believe you may be at risk and of course, regularly washing your hands.

Those eligible are also urged to get their winter flu vaccines.