Title: Official Assures Public of Minimal Risk from HMPV Outbreak in China Amid Fears of Another COVID-Like Situation Globally

Dhaka, December 31, 2024 - A top official of Bangladesh's Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has sought to reassure the public about the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, saying there is nothing to be alarmed about and that the situation can be controlled with general precautions.

According to Dr Atul Goyal, DGHS, the virus causes common cold-like symptoms but can be more severe in older people. He revealed that data analysis by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has not shown a substantial increase in cases of HMPV in Bangladesh this year.

"It's essential to take general precautions against all respiratory infections. If you have a cough and cold, avoid coming into contact with a lot of people to prevent its spread," Dr Goyal emphasized while briefing reporters today.

China had recently reported news about Metapneumovirus outbreak amid concerns of another COVID-19-like situation globally. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has asked China for more information on the disease's origins, stressing it is essential for understanding the virus.

However, the government insisted that it shared significant data and research to combat the pandemic. With COVID-19 emerging in Wuhan, China in December 2020, the international health body published a statement saying the country needs to open up further on the origins of the virus.

The WHO has emphasized China's openness about the original sources of COVID-19 as crucial for further analysis.