Summary:
- Bangladesh reports its first Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) case in a 30-year-old woman from Kishoreganj, who is currently under treatment at IEDCR while also battling Klebsiella Pneumoniae.
- The patient’s deteriorating condition is primarily attributed to pneumonia rather than HMPV, according to Dr. Halimur Rahman of DGHS.
- The detection follows China’s recent HMPV outbreak where the virus accounted for 6.2% of respiratory disease tests during December 16-22, 2024.
- HMPV has been present in Bangladesh since 2017 with no significant complications, though it can cause severe conditions in vulnerable populations.
Bangladesh health authorities today confirmed the country’s first case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), as concerns grow over the virus’s spread across Asia following a recent outbreak in China.
The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) identified the virus in a 30-year-old woman from the Bhairab area in Kishoreganj. The patient is currently receiving treatment at IEDCR facilities, where she was also diagnosed with Klebsiella Pneumoniae, a form of bacterial pneumonia.
“The physical condition of the woman deteriorated due to pneumonia, not HMPV,” stated Dr. Halimur Rahman, line director of Communicable Disease Control Programme at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The detection comes amid heightened regional surveillance following China’s recent surge in HMPV cases, where the virus accounted for 6.2% of positive respiratory disease tests during December 16-22, 2024. Several neighboring countries, including India, have already reported cases, with Bengaluru documenting two cases in early January involving infants.
HMPV is a common respiratory virus that typically circulates during winter and spring seasons. While it primarily causes mild cold-like symptoms in most people, it can lead to more severe conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia, particularly in young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
IEDCR Director Professor Dr. Tahmina Shirin previously assured that HMPV has been present in Bangladesh since 2017, with no significant complications reported. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the current increase in respiratory infections across the Northern Hemisphere is within expected seasonal ranges.
Health authorities in Bangladesh maintain active surveillance of respiratory infections, particularly as the country enters its typical winter season when such illnesses tend to peak. Preventive measures include basic hygiene practices such as regular hand washing and avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands.
Currently, there is no specific vaccine available for HMPV, and treatment typically focuses on managing symptoms through fever reducers and pain relievers.
