HMPV-infected woman with comorbidity dies

A 30-year-old woman diagnosed with human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and multiple other health complications died at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali on Wednesday.
Sanjida Akhter breathed her last around 6:00pm, Ariful Bashar, senior consultant at the hospital, told The Daily Star yesterday morning.
"She did not die solely from the HMPV infection. She had several underlying conditions, including obesity, kidney issues, and lung complications, as revealed by X-rays," Ariful said.
Sanjida's death comes two days after she was identified as this year's first case of HMPV.
Homemaker Sanjida had no history of travelling abroad. Her husband lives abroad, but he has not visited the country recently. She hails from Kishoreganj but used to live in Narsingdi.
Apart from HMPV, she tested positive for Klebsiella Pneumoniae, a variant of pneumonia, according to health officials.
Prof Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said based on scientific research so far, deaths caused by the HMPV are extremely rare.
He said the deceased patient was initially affected by Klebsiella pneumonia and subsequently suffered multi-organ failure, which led to her death. She had underlying conditions, obesity and thyroid dysfunction.
He further emphasized that this virus typically does not cause death. Individuals suffering from the flu should avoid public gatherings and wear masks.
The symptoms of this virus resemble those of seasonal flu, including cold, cough, body aches, and a runny nose. There is no significant difference between this virus and regular flu, he said.
First identified in the Netherlands in 2001, HMPV spreads through direct contact between people, or when someone touches a contaminated surface.
Infections are most common during late winter and spring, and symptoms range from mild cold-like illness to severe respiratory conditions, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia, according to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for HMPV. Management focuses on supportive care, including hydration, fever reduction, and in severe cases, oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation. Most people recover on their own within seven to 10 days, according to the IEDCR.
Comments