In response to the recent global spread of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) discovered in China, the Nigerian government has strengthened passenger screening protocols at major international airports to prevent its spread. The virus, which has already spread to countries including India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan, has raised significant concerns worldwide.
The Nigerian government has begun screening incoming passengers at airports like the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, directed port health officers to screen arriving travelers for symptoms of the virus. This precautionary measure is part of the government’s efforts to protect the public, particularly given the global rise in respiratory infections linked to HMPV.
The virus has led to hospitalizations in several countries, including the United Kingdom, where over 5,000 people were recently admitted due to HMPV-related illness. Reports from the UK indicate a significant rise in flu and respiratory infections, putting pressure on hospitals across the country.
Although the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has yet to release a formal directive to airlines regarding additional checks, the country’s Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation. According to a source at MMIA, there is no cause for alarm as the Port Health Service has been fully mobilized to conduct the necessary screenings, particularly for passengers arriving from affected regions.
In a statement issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the agency reassured the public that it is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to stay informed about global developments related to HMPV. Dr. Jide Idris, the Director-General of the NCDC, emphasized that while there has been speculation about the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring HMPV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), this rumor is false and should be disregarded.
As the virus continues to spread, Nigeria’s proactive measures aim to prevent a similar outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when the country recorded its first confirmed case. The government remains vigilant, ensuring that the country is prepared for any potential health threats.
