By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Federal Government has disclosed measures being put in place to prevent the incursion of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) into Nigeria.
This is as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said it is closely monitoring global developments on the HMPV
Director-General of the agency , Dr Jide Idris, said this in a public health advisory on Monday night. He said an Entry Implementation Protocol on HMPV, approved by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, is being developed and will be distributed to all points of entry to guide response activities.
Idris said the country’s surveillance system does not indicate any unusual increase in respiratory infections, including those caused by Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) but that given the global trends in HMPV cases, the agency is proactively implementing measures to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity.
He said: “Nigeria operates a National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance (NISS) system, comprising sentinel sites distributed across the six geopolitical zones of the country. These sites, which include tertiary and secondary health facilities, monitor Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). As of January 6, 2025, data from this surveillance system does not indicate any unusual increase in respiratory infections, including those caused by Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). However, given the global trends in HMPV cases, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is proactively implementing measures to strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity.”
The NCDC DG said the agency is working , in collaboration with Port Health Authorities, and taking proactive steps to ensure robust preparedness at all international points of entry (PoEs) in response to the dynamic risk assessment for HMPV.
Idris, however, debunked the rumour making the rounds that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared HMPV, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
He stressed the WHO has not made such a declaration.
He said: ” Recent reports indicate a significant rise in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in China, as well as increased respiratory infections linked to HMPV in countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), France, and Germany, particularly during the winter season. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has highlighted a notable rise in hospital admissions due to HMPV-related complications, especially among children under five and older adults in care homes. This trend emphasizes the need for heightened preparedness and vigilance.”
He said quarantine facilities were being identified and prepared to manage any suspected or confirmed cases if required.
In addition, he said Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) materials were being deployed to PoEs to ensure adherence to hygiene and safety protocols.
On diagnosis, he said the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance (NISS) sites across the six geopolitical zones monitor Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI), adding that the platform, which is already testing for COVID-19, will now also start testing for HMPV.
