The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris, stated on Thursday that the country is not under serious threat from the Human Metapneumovirus.
Idris made this comment during an appearance on Channels Television’s programme Sunrise Daily.
“Let me say there’s no serious threat for now. That’s one. Two, this HMPV virus is not a new virus. It’s just that it’s not well-known.
“But it’s been implicated in many respiratory infections over the years across countries, especially in children and elderly people.
“Just like the normal flu, older viruses, or influenza, this respiratory virus is just one of those causes of respiratory problems,” he explained.
HMPV is a respiratory virus that can cause illnesses ranging from mild cold-like symptoms to severe respiratory infections, particularly in young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV. Supportive care, such as rest, hydration, and fever management, remains the primary approach to recovery.
Symptoms of the virus include cough, fever, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, wheezing, bronchitis, or pneumonia (in vulnerable populations such as very young children, older people, patients with low immunity, and those undergoing cancer treatment or managing uncontrolled diabetes).
HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, close personal contact (e.g., touching or shaking hands), and touching contaminated surfaces before touching the face. Overcrowding and poor ventilation, such as in congregate settings like correctional centres or poorly managed IDP camps, can also increase transmission.
Dr Idris noted that the NCDC is currently in a monitoring and alert phase, taking guidance from the World Health Organisation.
Earlier, the NCDC announced that a risk assessment conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and partners had classified the risk of HMPV in Nigeria as moderate.
In a public advisory issued on Monday and signed by Dr Idris, the NCDC assured Nigerians that it is closely monitoring the situation and has implemented measures to ensure public health safety.
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