The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a public health advisory following reports of a Hantavirus cluster linked to international cruise ship travel involving several countries, assuring Nigerians that there is currently no confirmed case of the virus in the country.
In the advisory, the NCDC said the overall public health risk in Nigeria remains low but noted that authorities are closely monitoring developments surrounding the outbreak as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen surveillance against emerging infectious diseases.
The agency explained that Hantaviruses are primarily carried by rodents and can spread to humans through exposure to infected rodents, their urine, saliva, droppings, or contaminated dust particles. Health officials warned that infections could range from mild illness to severe respiratory complications in some cases.
According to the NCDC, symptoms associated with the disease include fever, fatigue, body aches, headaches, stomach-related complications, and breathing difficulties in severe situations. The agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and maintain proper environmental hygiene to reduce the risk of exposure.
“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has released a Public Health Advisory to address the recent reports of a Hantavirus cluster linked to international cruise ship travel involving multiple countries,” the agency stated. “At this time, there is no confirmed case of Hantavirus in Nigeria, and the overall risk to the public remains low.”
The NCDC advised residents to take preventive measures seriously by keeping their surroundings clean, preventing rodent infestation in homes and workplaces, storing food properly, disposing of waste safely, and avoiding direct contact with rodents and their droppings. The agency also stressed the importance of regular hand hygiene as part of broader disease prevention measures.
Health authorities further cautioned Nigerians against spreading unverified information, urging members of the public to rely only on updates issued by official public health institutions. The agency reiterated that it remains actively engaged in monitoring the situation globally and enhancing preparedness measures in case of any future threat.
