Dr. Jide Idris, the Director-General of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention, stated on Friday that the organization has stepped up disease surveillance throughout the nation in response to indications of an international Hantavirus cluster connected to cruise ship travel involving several nations.
However, Idris said in a public health advisory that there are presently no verified cases of Hantavirus in the nation, emphasising that the population’s overall risk is still minimal.
He further stated that the growing international concern about the epidemic and the necessity for nations to maintain vigilance against newly developing infectious diseases made the advise imperative.
Idris said, “The event involves a limited number of confirmed and suspected cases associated with the cruise ship, with investigations and contact tracing ongoing. Current reports indicate that the risk to the general public remains low.”
Additionally, he clarified that rodents are the main carriers of hantaviruses, which can infect people through contact with infected rodents’ urine, droppings, saliva, or contaminated dust.
Idris said the current cluster is linked to the Andes virus strain, which has previously shown limited human-to-human transmission, especially through intimate contact.
He insisted that Nigeria has not reported any cases of the illness despite the international reports.
In an effort to stop potential importation and guarantee early discovery of any suspected case, he said the agency had implemented increased surveillance procedures.
The Director-General advised Nigerians to observe preventive health measures, particularly those aimed at lowering contact with rodents, in order to maintain composure while being watchful.
Hantavirus Now In 9 Countries
Amid the outbreak of the virus, reports have indicated that cases the virus has been verified in about 9 countries including the UK, Argentina and Spain.
BACKSTORY…
Following a cluster of serious respiratory infections reported on Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) has verified an epidemic of hantavirus infection aboard a cruise ship containing 147 passengers and crew.
Authorities have reported seven cases so far, including three deaths from the ship, five suspected infections, and two laboratory-confirmed cases.
Hantavirus is a group of viruses carried mainly by rodents that can infect humans and cause serious illness.
Similar to lassa fever, rodents like mice and rats are the primary carriers of the virus and the primary source of human infection.
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