Air passengers asked to wear masks

Medical team deployed at Hili checkpost

FE Team | Published: January 13, 2025 23:16:49

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, reports UNB.
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.
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.
"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 the news agency.
Report from Hili adds: A medical team from the DGHS has begun operations at the Hili immigration check post in Dinajpur to prevent the spread of the HMP virus.
Following instructions from the Health Ministry, a medical team, led by Md Jahangir Alam, a sub-assistant community medical officer from the Upazila Health Complex, initiated its activities.
Bangladeshi passport holders arriving from India expressed relief at the initial efforts of the medical team.
The team informed the travelers on wearing masks and maintaining health precautions.
Since this new virus has been detected in both India and Bangladesh, such initiatives will help tackle the HMP virus and other potential outbreaks, they said.
Ariful Islam, the officer-in-charge (OC) of the Hili immigration checkpost, said, "A medical team from Hakimpur Upazila Health Complex has been conducting health screenings inside the immigration check post since morning. We are urging everyone to wear masks. Those without masks are not allowed inside the checkpost premises. Awareness campaigns on this matter are ongoing."
Dr Md Iltutmish Akand, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, said travelers are being advised to use masks and hand sanitizers as precautionary measures against the virus.
"We are checking their body temperatures, and if anyone exhibits symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion, cough, or sore throat, they are provided with initial treatment and guidance. In cases of severe illness, arrangements have been made to admit them to the hospital for proper treatment," he said.
A case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) was detected in Bangladesh, according to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
A woman from Bhairab in Kishoreganj was confirmed to have contracted the virus, IEDCR revealed on Sunday.