Photo: Collected
One case of HMPV virus infection has been detected in the country, said the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control And Research IEDCR. The infected patient is a woman who was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in the capital's Mohakhali, said Head of the Virology at IEDCR Dr Ahmed Nowsher Alam.
Dr Forhad Hossain, director of Communicable Disease Control, Directorate General of Health Services said, the HMPV infected patient is 30 years old and is currently undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Alongside HMPV she was also infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria that is why her condition deteriorated further, he added. Dr Forhad also said the patient came from Bhairab and has no history of travelling abroad, he added.
Virologists and medical professionals state that HMPV is not a new virus and has been present in Bangladesh and other countries for years, particularly during the winter season.
What is HMPV?
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus causing flu or cold-like symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sore throat and fever. While generally mild, it can increase risks or lead to severe complications like bronchitis or pneumonia in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
The disease is in the same family as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and has been around since at least 2001 when it was first identified in the Netherlands. Its outbreaks are concentrated during colder seasons.
Mild cases of human HMPV typically last from a few days to a week. In more severe cases, recovery may take longer. Lingering symptoms, such as a cough, can persist for a longer period, even after other symptoms have improved.
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