The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has classified the country’s risk level for the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) as moderate, following its circulation in parts of the world, including China.
HMPV is a respiratory virus that poses a threat to vulnerable groups, such as young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, emphasized the country’s proactive stance in addressing potential outbreaks. “Our surveillance system does not currently indicate any unusual increase in respiratory infections, including those caused by HMPV,” he said.
The NCDC operates a robust National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance (NISS) system, which monitors Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) through sentinel sites distributed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These sites, hosted at tertiary and secondary health facilities, are crucial in detecting and managing respiratory disease trends.
To ensure preparedness, the NCDC, alongside the Federal Ministry of Health and global partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), conducted a dynamic risk assessment on January 6, 2025. “This assessment will guide our preparedness efforts and response strategies,” Dr. Idris noted.
Although no immediate threat has been identified, the NCDC is implementing measures to bolster Nigeria’s readiness to mitigate potential impacts.
The public is urged to maintain respiratory hygiene and seek medical attention if experiencing severe symptoms of respiratory illness.
