Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) rarely causes fatalities, but continuous mutations could render it deadly, warned Dr Sayedur Rahman, a special assistant at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Addressing a press briefing at the Health Ministry on Thursday, Dr Rahman made the remarks following the death of a woman, Sanjida Akter, who was infected with HMPV. Dr Rahman explained that Sanjida had been ill for over a month, initially seeking treatment locally before being hospitalised as her condition worsened. First reported HMPV case in Bangladesh ends in death “Scientific research indicates that deaths caused by HMPV are extremely rare. Sanjida was primarily affected by Klebsiella pneumonia, which later led to multi-organ failure. She also suffered from obesity and thyroid dysfunction. While pneumonia and organ failure caused her death, she was unfortunately also infected with HMPV,” Dr Rahman clarified. He went to say, “HMpV typically does not result in death. Although it has been spreading in neighbouring countries, the World Health Organisation and other international agencies have established health guidelines to control its transmission.” Dr Rahman emphasised precautionary measures to curb the virus’s spread, urging people experiencing flu-like symptoms to avoid public spaces and wear masks if they must go out. “Frequent handwashing and wearing masks in public can effectively prevent HMPV transmission,” he added. Medical team deployed at Hili Checkpost to combat HMPV virus Responding to questions from journalists, Dr Rahman noted that viruses mutate as they spread, making them potentially more harmful. “COVID-19, for instance, was an old virus that became hazardous due to mutations. Similarly, HMpV may become fatal if its spread and mutation are not controlled,” he warned. Although there is currently no advisory for maintaining social distancing, Dr Rahman recommended limiting interaction with others during illness and staying home to recover. HMPV virus: Passengers asked to wear masks at Dhaka airport Health Services Division Secretary Sayedur Rahman, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Md Abu Jafar, and Director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Prof Dr Tahmina Shirin, among others, attended the press conference. The health experts urged all to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures to mitigate the risks associated with HMPV.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has issued directives to implement precautionary measures against the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The directives were issued one day after a case of HMPV virus was detected in the country. Following the guidance from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the directive was issued on Monday and passengers, airport staff and airline crew must comply with these instructions. According to the notice, any passenger or staff member showing symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath must immediately inform the health service team at the airport. Besides, wearing masks and using hand sanitisers has been strongly recommended at the Dhaka airport. According to the notice issued for airlines, precautionary measures will be enhanced for flights arriving from countries suspected to have HMPV outbreaks. Airlines are also instructed to disseminate these guidelines to both crew and passengers. The health team at the airport has been asked to conduct health screenings to the passengers who have such symptoms and provide necessary information and assistance to ensure effective implementation of health protocols. HMPV in India: Lack of precautionary measures at Hili land port According to airport authorities, symptoms of HMPV resemble common respiratory illnesses and typically resolve within 2–5 days. However, taking precautions can prevent the spread of the virus. For further assistance, passengers can contact the airport health team at 01799430033 or the call center at 13600 at any time. India urges states to boost surveillance of HMPV cases "All stakeholders are requested to follow these directives to prevent HMPV infections. The airport authorities remain committed to ensuring the safety of passengers, staff, and visitors,” said Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's Executive Director, Group Captain Mohammad Kamrul Islam while talking to UNB.

China is reportedly observing another pathogenic outbreak after COVID-19, with the rise of human metapneumovirus cases. Video footage on social media shows overcrowded hospitals, claiming the surge of multiple viruses, including HMPV, influenza A, COVID-19, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.  What is HMPV? Human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is one of the common causes of respiratory tract infections (RTI) among children and the elderly. The virus causes upper and lower respiratory infections and shows regular flu-like symptoms. Children under 5 and adults over 65 may suffer from pneumonia, asthma, and other respiratory issues due to their poor immunity levels. The virus is classified under the Metapneumovirus genus, which belongs to the Pneumovirus subfamily and the Paramyxoviridae family. The Metapneumovirus genus has two species—metapneumovirus hominins, or human metapneumovirus, and Metapneumovirus avis, or avian pneumovirus—both liable to induce respiratory dysfunctions in animals. However, HMPV is the only virus within the Metapneumovirus genus that infects humans.  Read more: Should You Drink Hot or Cold Water? HMPV was first identified by Dutch scientists in 2001, but it has been circulating among humans for more than 50 years.  Causes of HMPV All viral diseases are contagious, and HMPV is not an exception. People can get it from direct or close contact with an infected person. The virus spreads through contaminated secretions like saliva, phlegm, droplets, and large particle aerosols. Touching a surface or object contaminated with the pathogen with hands and later using them to wipe the mouth or nose may conduct the virus into the body. HMPV also shows the same seasonal bias as other flu viruses. It thrives in cold seasons; therefore, HMPV infections are more common during winter and early spring. Read more: How to Avoid Winter Weight Gain Signs and Symptoms of HMPV While HMPV can be completely asymptomatic for young adults ranging from 5 to 40 years old, younger children and elders over 65 can get very sick. Symptoms for regular cases are not threatening and mostly mild, like - Coughing- Runny nose- Fever- Nasal congestion- Sore throat- Vomiting- Nausea- Diarrhea The conditions of severely infected patients can worsen, showing symptoms of pneumonia, asthma, and other bronchial diseases. In fewer cases, signs of middle ear infection have been found among patients with a prior compromised immune system. Read more: How to Keep Your Baby Comfortable and Healthy While Using Air Conditioner or Cooler Serious HMPV symptoms include: - Wheezing- Shortness of breath- Suffocacy- Fatigue- Bronchitis- Chest infection- Pneumonia- Asthma attack Mild symptoms usually disappear in two to five days. It is recommended to see a doctor if the symptoms persist for more than two weeks or worsen. Read more: How to Fix Your Sleep Routine: Know the Do's and Don'ts