A medical team from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has begun operations at the Hili immigration checkpost 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 travellers 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, officer-in-charge (OC) of 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 are ongoing."

Dr Md Iltutmish Akand, upazila health and family planning officer, said travellers are being advised to use masks and hand sanitisers 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.

A woman from Bhairab in Kishoreganj was confirmed to have contracted the virus, IEDCR said on Sunday.