The government's Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research, or IEDCR, has confirmed the detection of the HMP virus in a patient in Bangladesh, report agencies.
The case marks the first known occurrence of the virus infection in the country.
The infected individual has been admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali, Dhaka
On Sunday, IEDCR's Virology Department Head Dr Ahmed Nowsher Alam told bdnews24.com: "We've identified a patient infected with HMPV. The infected individual is undergoing treatment at a hospital. We will provide details later."
A doctor at the Infectious Diseases Hospital said: "A woman infected with HMPV was admitted here last Friday. She is in the intensive care unit (ICU). She is 30 years old and lives in Kishoreganj district. Her condition is better than before."
This winter, human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, spread across various regions of northern China, with children being particularly affected by the virus. In response to its rapid spread, China has issued a warning to its citizens.
However, report from Beijing adds, the rate of infections with the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in northern China is declining, a health official said Sunday, amid some international concern over a potential pandemic.
HMPV, which belongs to the same family as the respiratory syncytial virus, causes flu or cold-like symptoms including fever, cough and nasal congestion. The symptoms often clear up by themselves, though they can cause lower respiratory tract infections among children, older adults and those immunocompromised.
"The human metapneumovirus is not a new virus, and has been with humans for at least several decades," said Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during a press briefing by China's National Health Commission.
Wang added that the increase in recent years in the number of cases of the virus, first detected in the Netherlands in 2001, is due to better detection methods.
Following China, an eight-month-old baby in the Indian state of Karnataka was also diagnosed with the virus. Several other patients have since been reported across India.
In light of these developments, the Indian government has 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.
