The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has intensified nationwide surveillance following reports of a Hantavirus cluster linked to an international cruise ship involving multiple countries.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, disclosed this in a public health update, stressing that Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of the disease.
According to him, the risk of transmission within the country remains low, but the agency is maintaining heightened vigilance due to ongoing international developments.
“Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Hantavirus,” Idris said. “Although the likelihood of spread into the country is low, we are closely monitoring the situation and strengthening surveillance systems to ensure early detection of any possible imported case.”
He explained that the global health concern centres around a limited number of confirmed and suspected infections connected to a cruise ship, with authorities in affected countries already carrying out investigations and contact tracing.
Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, saliva, or contaminated dust.
The NCDC noted that early symptoms of the disease may include fever and gastrointestinal illness, while severe cases can progress to respiratory complications and other life-threatening conditions.
“The current cluster has been associated with the Andes virus strain, which, though rare, has demonstrated limited human-to-human transmission through very close contact,” Idris stated.
The NCDC boss reiterated that no infection has been detected in Nigeria, adding that health authorities are taking precautionary steps to prevent the entry and spread of the virus.
“We have put additional monitoring measures in place across the country as part of efforts to strengthen preparedness and response capacity,” he added.
The agency advised Nigerians to adopt preventive measures aimed at reducing exposure to rodents.
It urged residents to keep their homes and surroundings clean, store food properly, dispose of refuse appropriately, and avoid direct contact with rodents or their waste.
The NCDC also encouraged regular hand washing and the use of safe cleaning practices in areas where rodents may be present.
