First death due to HMPV virus in Bangladesh: Caution and public awareness needed
Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed :
The name of the newly discussed virus around the world is HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus). The horror of Corona is no more. However, scientists often talk about the danger of such virus infection in the future. Now a new virus infection started in that fear. The oddly named virus has caused panic in recent times. The outbreak of this new virus, HMPV, has increased in China.
After Japan, Malaysia and India, this time Bangladesh has also detected the spread of fear in China
A woman named Sanjida Akhter (30) died of HMPV. She died on Wednesday night (January 15) while undergoing treatment at Mahakhali Infectious Disease Hospital in the capital. First patient died of HMPV virus in the country. His village home is said to be in the Bhairab area of Kishoreganj.
On January 12, there was news that Sanjida was infected with HMPV. It was known that the woman had no history of foreign travel. At least 18 people have been affected since 2017.
At the beginning of January this year, the first infection was detected in China, an East Asian country. After that, the virus was detected in Japan. The outbreak of HMPV is also in Malaysia and India. Meanwhile, to prevent the spread of this in Bangladesh, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Authority on Monday, (January 13) issued some special instructions in this regard.
Many people have already been affected by this influenza-like virus. The virus can be as dangerous as corona. Many experts fear that a new epidemic like Corona may emerge in 2025. However, it is not possible to give a clear message about which disease will become an epidemic. However, the outbreak of HMV is worrying them.
About 11 diseases like measles, cholera, bird flu and scabies have been listed as potential epidemics. In the meantime, recent outbreaks of HMPV have raised concerns among physicians and public health experts, and the hallmark of future epidemics will be virulence. Human mortality will reach maximum.
What are the symptoms of HMPV?
Symptoms of HMPV are similar to those of the flu and other respiratory infections. Common symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath.
The incubation period for HMPV is usually three to six days. However, depending on the severity of the infection, the symptoms last for different durations.
Although it starts with common cold symptoms like fever, stuffy nose, cough or shortness of breath, later infection with this virus can lead to hospitalization. Sometimes the severity of the infection can cause problems such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma or ear infections.
How does it spread?
HMPV spreads like other respiratory viruses. It includes-
1. Discharge from coughing and sneezing; 2. Shaking hands or touching;
3. Touching an infected area and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes with hands.
Who is most at risk from this virus?
Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to this virus, like the Coronavirus. Especially those who have had respiratory problems in the past are vulnerable to the attack of this new virus. The HMPV virus has existed in the country before. It still exists in the body of children and the elderly. But don’t panic. By following hygiene rules like Corona, it is possible to stay away from infection.
Patients infected with HMPV virus Prevention of HMPV disease
Hand washing: Wash your hands thoroughly with soapy water or alcohol based hand sanitizer as often as needed. After coming from outside, after touching something that has germs, after coming in contact with someone who is infected. In other words, you should keep your hands free of viruses.
Avoid touching the face: Avoid touching the face, nose and eyes with your hands. Because hands touch many things and viruses can be transferred to hands. If you have the virus on your hands, touching your mouth, nose or eyes increases the risk of infection. Wash your hands thoroughly whenever you need to touch them.
Social Distancing: Stay away from infected people or people who may be infected. Stay at least 1 meter (3 feet) away. Not only the infected person, but if possible, talking or walking should be kept at a distance from everyone.
Consumables: Sanitize your personal belongings such as mobiles, wallets, water bottles, glasses, pens, tea presses etc. as far as possible.
Use of mask: Wearing a face mask can provide some protection. Face masks may provide some protection from liquid sources of bat-reovirus, such as sneezes. But it is absolutely not possible to block the ultra fine particles of the virus through this. However, those who are infected with the virus must wear a mask.
Homeo Remedies- HMPV virus was reported for the first time about two decades ago but till now no vaccine has been discovered in its allopathic treatment system. And not the disease but the patient is treated for this by an experienced doctor.
According to Hahnemann’s homeopathic principles, treatment of any complex difficult disease including various diseases including HMPV virus can be easily treated by God’s grace if the treatment depends on the person’s individuality. There is no such thing as eternal truth in medical science. Because once we used to hear that there is no cure for tuberculosis, now we hear that tuberculosis is better. All this is the result of scientific progress and development. Various diseases are the most popular treatment method in homeopathy. Homeopathic treatment is done by selecting medicines based on overall symptoms. It is the only medical procedure that removes all the signs and symptoms of the patient’s suffering and restores him to full health.
(The writer is a columnist and researcher; founder and chairman, Jatiya Rogi Kallyan Society Email, [email protected])