The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has placed health facilities on alert after assessing the risk of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the country as moderate.
The agency emphasized proactive monitoring and preparedness.
HMPV, a single-stranded RNA virus first identified in the Netherlands in 2001, causes symptoms resembling the common cold and influenza, such as cough, fever, nasal congestion, and fatigue.
While its incubation period is three to six days, the virus can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, particularly in infants, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
HMPV spreads via respiratory droplets or contaminated surfaces, and recent outbreaks in China and isolated cases in India have heightened global attention.
In an advisory released on January 6, 2025, the NCDC stated that, in collaboration with the federal ministry of health, it is closely monitoring global developments.
Current surveillance data show no unusual rise in respiratory infections, including those linked to HMPV in Nigeria.
“However, given the global trends in HMPV cases, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is proactively implementing measures to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity,” the advisory reads.
The agency, alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), conducted a dynamic risk assessment, which classified Nigeria’s risk level as moderate.
This classification informs preparedness strategies and guides decision-making to mitigate potential impacts.
In far away China people are experiencing the new virus outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is spreading quickly and causing symptoms similar to the flu and COVID-19. Unfortunately, the authorities are alleged not to be making any statements.
Strengthened Measures at Nigeria’s Points of Entry:
The NCDC is working with port health authorities to bolster preparedness at international points of entry (PoEs).
Steps include identifying quarantine facilities, deploying infection prevention and control (IPC) materials, and distributing information, education, and communication (IEC) materials to enhance awareness among frontline workers and travelers.
Expanded Surveillance and Testing:
The agency also announced plans to integrate HMPV testing into its National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance (NISS) network across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
These sites, already testing for COVID-19, will now test for HMPV. Laboratories in states hosting international airports will receive additional support to expand testing capabilities.
The NCDC reassured the public of its commitment to safeguarding national health, emphasizing that proactive measures are essential to mitigate risks and manage potential HMPV cases effectively.