*Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control assures Nigerian consumers, that the country is safe, and there is 鈥榥o cause for alarm鈥� as regards the outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in certain parts of the world

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has assured Nigerian consumers that the country is safe, and there is no cause for alarm in respect of the health threat called the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).

Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of NCDC, who said this Thursday, January 9, 2025, as a guest on Channels TV Sunrise Daily, stated: 鈥淟et me say, there鈥檚 no serious threat for now. That鈥檚 one. Two, this HMPV virus, it鈥檚 not a new virus.鈥�

绿帽献妻 reports the NCDC has described the Human Metapneumovirus as “a respiratory virus that can affect all age groups.”

It urged allNigerians via its verified social media account to “protect yourself and your loved ones by staying informed.”

Idris also affirmed that Nigeria is not under 鈥渟erious threat for now鈥� for the Human Metapneumovirus.

It is noted that there have been concerns over the outbreak of the virus in certain parts of the world in recent times.

The health sector regulatory agency, however, assured Nigerians that the country is safe, and there is no cause for worry as of now.

The Director-General of NCDC further stated: 鈥淚t鈥檚 just that it鈥檚 not well-known. But it鈥檚 been implicated in many respiratory infections over the years, over the countries, especially in children, and elderly people.

鈥淛ust like the normal flu, old virus or influenza, respiratory virus, it鈥檚 just one of those causes of respiratory problems.鈥�

According to him, the West African country is monitoring the situation and is on high alert with no cases reported in Nigeria yet.

鈥淲e are in a monitoring and alert phase, and that鈥檚 why again we take instructions from WHO globally because every country is supposed to report cases like this, any case.

鈥淎ny problem to WHO 鈥� those things that they consider might become global problems later so that they can alert every other country to get prepared,鈥� said he.

Nigeria has developed some capabilities, says NCDC Chief

Recalling how the country had managed some major public health issues in the past, Dr. Idris said: 鈥淭hat鈥檚 precisely what we are doing in Nigeria. We鈥檝e experienced some major problems 鈥� we had Ebola, and we had COVID.

鈥淲ith those two, we developed some capabilities. We learned our lessons and put infrastructure in place.

鈥淪o we鈥檝e got public health infrastructure. These are things you need to put in place in expectation of things like this so that you don鈥檛 have to start running helter-skelter.鈥�

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to avoid overcrowded places, wash hands regularly, and observe other hygiene practices as part of measures against the HMPV.

Kindly Share This Story