Understanding the rising concern of HMPV
Over the past few weeks, there have been anxious discussions about human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in several countries, including Bangladesh. Hospitals in China, where the ongoing spread has originated, have been alerted as an increasing number of people have become infected with this virus. This has led to speculations about the possibility of a new pandemic. Although this virus is not new to Bangladesh or the world, the concerns have not subsided.
A closer look at HMPV
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Viruses capable of causing infections can emerge in various ways. To survive, a virus can mutate. When these mutations become extensive, the virus can appear in a new form. A virus may alter its structure to infect humans and gain the ability to cause disease. Animal-borne viruses can mutate to infect humans. Additionally, new viruses can emerge from the combination of viruses from animals, birds, and humans.
HMPV was first identified in the Netherlands in 2001. Bangladeshi scientists detected the virus in the country soon after. This virus has existed in the world before and is believed to date back to the 1950s. The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has been monitoring this virus as part of its respiratory virus surveillance programme since 2017. Since the latest bout started, one HMPV-infected patient with other complications died in Dhaka on January 16.
Like other respiratory viruses such as influenza, RSV, and COVID, HMPV spreads through sneezing and coughing. If a person comes into contact with clothing or any objects contaminated with an infected person's sneeze or cough or touches their nose or mouth after shaking hands or hugging the infected person, they can contract HMPV. This disease has a history of spreading through contact with infected individuals and their respiratory droplets.
Scientists have classified various forms of this virus. However, it is still unknown whether HMPV has undergone significant changes or mutations. So far, this virus is not capable of causing severe illness in humans, and the death rate is very low. However, since it can spread from person to person, it needs to be constantly monitored.
Symptoms and potential hosts
The symptoms of HMPV infection are similar to those of the influenza virus. An HMPV-infected person may experience fever, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and sore throat. In some cases, the disease may become more severe, leading to pneumonia.
Those at a higher risk include individuals with a weakened immune system, such as children and elderly people over 60 years old, individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, or those requiring kidney dialysis, as well as people with asthma, compromised immune systems due to medication, and pregnant women.
Treatment and prevention
There is no direct antiviral medication for treating HMPV. In this case, symptomatic treatment is provided. Additionally, ensuring proper care for the patient is essential. This virus typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days without any medication. However, precautions should be taken to ensure that the illness does not become severe for other reasons.
HMPV has not yet reached a state where it could create a situation similar to the COVID pandemic. However, the more the disease spreads, the greater the risk that this virus could develop the ability to cause severe illness. On the other hand, it may also weaken.
HMPV prevention should be approached in the same way as preventing other respiratory diseases. Some key measures to tackle it include regularly washing hands with soap at intervals, covering our nose and mouth with a tissue, cloth or elbow when sneezing or coughing, and maintaining distance from infected individuals. Moreover, infected individuals should wear a mask, and those in close proximity to them should also use masks. If a patient has a fever, they should rest. If symptoms do not subside after three or four days, similar to other viral fevers, medical advice should be sought.
If a large number of patients exceeds hospital capacity, it is considered an emergency public health situation. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor whether the number of HMPV infections is increasing and to ensure that hospitals, laboratories, and epidemiological institutions remain vigilant and prepared to handle any emergency situations.
Dr Mushtuq Husain is former principal scientific officer of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
Views expressed in this article are the authors' own.
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