Doctors say it is vital China shares infection data as India ramps up monitoring - China, Malaysia and Kazakhstan are among the other countries that have reported cases of the virus

The flu-like virus can lead to serious illness among vulnerable groups, such as young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

The Indian government has urged states to intensify surveillance for respiratory illnesses, including influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), following the detection of seven human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in the country.