First Bangladeshi patient infected with HMPV dies

The first patient diagnosed with the newly emerging Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), in Bangladesh this year has died.

The 30-year-old woman from Kishoreganj’s Bhairab upazila was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Dhaka’s Mohakhali on Friday, reports bdnews24.com.

A doctor at the hospital said that the woman died around 7:30 pm on Wednesday. The official, however, requested not to be named due to restrictions imposed by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The physician said, “Apart from the HMPV, she had developed some other physical complications. She died while undergoing treatment at the ICU of the hospital."

On Sunday, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research, or IEDCR’s, Virology Department Head Dr Ahmed Nowsher Alam said, "We have identified a patient infected with HMPV. The infected individual is undergoing treatment at a hospital. We will provide details later."

This winter, HMPV spread across various regions of northern China, with children being particularly affected by the virus. In response to its rapid spread, China issued a warning to its citizens.

Following China, an eight-month-old baby in the Indian state of Karnataka was also diagnosed with the virus. Several other cases have since been reported across India.

In light of these developments, the Indian government urged people not to panic, emphasising the importance of maintaining hygiene to prevent further infections.

The HMP virus primarily targets the respiratory system, leading to symptoms such as a cold, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and rash. These symptoms are typically mild in most cases.

However, the virus can cause more severe complications, such as pneumonia, particularly in young children and the elderly.

Public health expert and IEDCR advisor Mushtuq Husain was asked about the potential risks of the spread of the virus in Bangladesh following the news of the 8-month-old baby being infected with HMPV in India.

He told bdnews24.com that the virus has been and is present in the country, so there is no immediate cause for concern. He also noted that the symptoms of the virus are similar to those of influenza in infected individuals.

“This disease was already present in Bangladesh. It exists in all countries around the world; it’s not new. We should remain alert, but there is no need to panic,” Mushtuq stated.

He explained that many patients have been seeking care in Chinese hospital emergency departments, prompting the country to declare a state of emergency, in accordance with their national protocols.

He further clarified that the HMP virus is "not a fatal disease" but could become dangerous for individuals with underlying health conditions.

“If someone already has comorbidities, any disease can become fatal for them,” he added, emphasising that children and the elderly are particularly at risk. He also reassured that the level of risk from this virus is comparable to that of influenza.

The expert advises taking preventive measures such as washing hands regularly, wearing masks, avoiding close contact with individuals experiencing fever and cold, and seeking immediate medical attention if the patient’s condition becomes critical, to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.