(NEXSTAR) — Respiratory illnesses are spreading throughout the U.S., causing multiple states to see a spike in hospital visits. The latest data shows another virus, known as HMPV, has also been spiking in some parts of the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously confirmed it was monitoring a spike in cases of HMPV, or human metapneumovirus, in China's northern provinces. The agency noted the cases of the virus, which is not new, were not a "cause for concern in the U.S." and that rates of infection nationwide are at typical "pre-pandemic" levels. HMPV is considered relatively common, with most infected before age 5, according to Dr. Eileen Schneider, an epidemiologist with the CDC. It often circulates during flu season and causes symptoms similar to the common cold, including coughing, wheezing, congestion and shortness of breath. What is HMPV? CDC ‘monitoring’ reports of spiking cases in China Data from the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) shows that among lab tests submitted for HMPV, more than 2% tested positive through the first week of January. That's up slightly from the week prior (1.77%) and more than double the rate reported in early December (0.87%). One area of the U.S. is seeing an even higher positivity rate. Across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, more than 5.8% of tests submitted for HMPV tested positive through the first week of the year, data shows. That's more than double the positivity rate across the next-highest region — Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho — which sits at around 2.7%. The graph above shows the weekly percentage of HMPV-positive tests, as reported to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System, updated on Jan. 13, 2025. (CDC) Since fall, most parts of the country have seen HMPV testing positivity climb. The most recent data shows only one region — covering Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island and Virginia — has reported a dip. The previous year's data, stretching from early July 2023 through late June 2024 shows HMPV testing positivity was relatively low through the fall and early winter months before spiking between late March and early June. In the spring of 2024, more than 8% of HMPV tests were positive while in the spring of 2023, they peaked at nearly 11%. MAP: Emergency room visits for respiratory illnesses are soaring in these states Compared to other viruses tracked by the CDC, testing for HMPV has remained relatively low. Testing for influenza, RSV and COVID has largely increased since November. HMPV is typically diagnosed based on symptoms, the Cleveland Clinic explains, and not testing, unless you have serious symptoms. There are no vaccines or treatment therapies for HMPV, which makes preventing the spread of HMPV especially important. Health experts recommend washing your hands often and avoiding contact with those who are infected with HMPV if possible.