The Federal Government said it has heightened surveillance at international airports to prevent the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus recently discovered in China and spreading to other countries.
The Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, directed port health officers to screen arriving passengers for symptoms of the virus.
Screening has begun at Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
However, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is yet to issue guidelines to airlines regarding passenger checks.
Globally, HMPV cases have been reported in India, Malaysia, and the UK, where over 5,000 hospitalizations have occurred.
The UK Health Security Agency highlighted a rise in HMPV-related complications, especially among children and older adults.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has issued advisories and denied rumors of the virus being declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO.
Experts have urged the government to prioritize vigilance, enhance surveillance, and strengthen healthcare capacity.
They recommend early detection systems, public awareness campaigns, and emergency preparedness to mitigate the risks of HMPV entering Nigeria.
