The Federal Government has ramped up surveillance at Nigeria’s major international airports to guard against the potential outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus recently detected in China.
Sources revealed that the Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, has directed port health officials to screen passengers arriving at airports for symptoms of the virus. Reports confirm that this screening is already underway at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Despite this heightened vigilance, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has yet to issue an official circular instructing airlines to implement additional checks on passengers. However, an airport source assured that port health officers are diligently monitoring travellers arriving on international flights to ensure that no precaution is overlooked.
This proactive approach mirrors Nigeria’s response during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the nation’s first confirmed case in February 2020, following the arrival of an Italian traveller at the Lagos airport.
The global spread of HMPV has raised significant concerns, with cases already reported in India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Kazakhstan. Reports from the United Kingdom indicate that over 5,000 hospitalizations have been linked to the virus, particularly affecting children under five and elderly individuals. Experts attribute the spike in cases to colder weather and increased indoor activity, conditions that typically facilitate the spread of respiratory illnesses.
In Nigeria, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. In a statement, NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris assured Nigerians that the agency is working to provide accurate information and timely guidance to ensure public preparedness. The NCDC also dismissed rumours that the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared HMPV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Health experts have called for vigilance and proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with the virus. Dr. Francis Ohanyido of the West African Institute of Public Health emphasized the importance of surveillance, public education, and healthcare readiness, urging the government to draw lessons from previous outbreaks such as Ebola and COVID-19. He highlighted the need for clear communication strategies to educate citizens on preventive measures and symptom recognition.
Professor Oluwasogo Olalubi of Kwara State University stressed the necessity of robust laboratories, enhanced surveillance systems, and reserves of essential medical supplies. He also noted the importance of isolating detected cases, strengthening airport monitoring, and leveraging technology to create awareness.
HMPV, a respiratory virus, causes symptoms ranging from mild cold-like effects to severe respiratory complications. While most infections resolve within five days, vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals face higher risks. The public is advised to practice hand hygiene, avoid crowded places, and seek medical care if symptoms persist.
