Very little is known about this newly described virus of the Paramyxoviridae family. Early data suggest it is genetically most similar to the avian pneumovirus and hence its name.
The virus is a single stranded, RNA, negative sense virus. Early assessments suggest that the virus may be similar to respiratory syncytial virus in having two distinct genotypes and a similar epidemiology. Early data suggest that the virus can cause severe respiratory disease and death, that reinfections may occur and that all ages may be susceptible to infections.