The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is not currently posing a “serious threat” to the nation.
Nigerians have been reassured by the NCDC that the country is secure and there is no reason for fear, despite worries over the virus breakout in several regions of the world.
“Let me state that, at this time, there isn’t a significant threat. That’s one of them. Two, the HMPV virus is not a brand-new one. Simply put, “it isn’t widely recognised.”
On Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, NCDC Director-General Jide Idris stated, “But it’s been implicated in many respiratory infections over the years, over the countries, especially in children and elderly people.
“It’s just another cause of respiratory issues, like the common flu, old virus, influenza, or respiratory virus.”
According to the head of the NCDC, Nigeria is keeping a close eye on the situation and is on high alert, as no cases have been detected there as of yet.
“We are in a monitoring and alert phase, which is why we are following the WHO’s instructions worldwide once more. Every country is required to report cases like this, any case, or any problem to WHO—those things that they consider might become global problems later so that they can alert every other country to get ready,” he stated during the breakfast show.
“Here in Nigeria, we are doing just that. We’ve had some serious issues, including COVID and Ebola. With those two, we gained some skills. After learning our lessons, we installed infrastructure. Thus, public health infrastructures are in place. So that you don’t have to start going around in circles, you should set up these procedures in anticipation of situations like these.”
Among other things, the NCDC DG mentioned hand washing and avoiding crowded areas as ways to prevent HMPV.
