First Human Metapneumovirus Death in Bangladesh
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Synopsis
Bangladesh has reported its first death due to the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). The victim, Sanjida Akhter, had multiple health complications and tested positive for the virus in Dhaka's Infectious Diseases Hospital.
Key Takeaways
- First HMPV death reported in Bangladesh
- Victim had underlying health issues
- HMPV identified annually in winter since 2017
- No vaccine or antiviral treatment for HMPV
- Symptoms include cough, fever, and shortness of breath
Dhaka, Jan 16 (NationPress) Bangladesh experienced its initial casualty linked to the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) on Thursday, when a woman succumbed to various health complications.
The victim, Sanjida Akhter, passed away at approximately 6:00 pm local time on Wednesday in Dhaka's Infectious Diseases Hospital, where she had been under care since Sunday.
According to Ariful Bashar, a senior consultant at the hospital, the woman was battling multiple underlying health issues, including obesity, kidney problems, and lung complications.
This fatality occurred shortly after Bangladesh confirmed its first case of HMPV infection for the season, with the woman testing positive for the virus.
Ahmed Nowsher Alam, the head of virology at the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), noted that the woman also tested positive for Klebsiella Pneumoniae, a pneumonia variant.
It was mentioned that the patient had no history of international travel.
Tahmina Shirin, Director of IEDCR, previously stated that HMPV was first identified in Bangladesh in 2017, and the virus has been consistently observed during winter seasons.
First discovered in 2001, HMPV belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which includes the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Enhanced molecular diagnostic testing has led to greater awareness of HMPV as a significant contributor to upper and lower respiratory infections, as stated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
HMPV can lead to respiratory diseases in individuals of all ages, particularly affecting young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, according to the CDC.
Surveillance data from the CDC’s National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System indicates that HMPV is most prevalent during late winter and spring in temperate regions.
Common symptoms associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath, as per the CDC.
Unlike Covid-19 and the flu, there is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment available for HMPV. Medical professionals focus on managing symptoms for severely affected patients.
