On Sunday, the Nigerian government announced plans to strengthen surveillance for passengers arriving from China in response to a surge in cases of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).
The respiratory virus, which primarily affects children, has caused overcrowded hospitals and raised public concerns across northern China this winter.
Reports from Chinese authorities indicate that the virus has notably affected children under 14 years old. Neighboring regions such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Cambodia are closely monitoring the situation but have not reported widespread outbreaks.
Social media posts from China, showing overwhelmed hospitals, have added to fears of a larger-scale health emergency.
To address the crisis, China has implemented measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and increased disinfection of public areas. The virus, first identified in Pakistan in 2001, is known to spread through respiratory droplets, close contact, and contaminated surfaces.
Though similar to other seasonal respiratory viruses, HMPV usually causes milder symptoms like cough, fever, and nasal congestion.
Dr. John Oladejo, a representative of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), stated, “The FG will activate surveillance measures, like quarantine, for passengers coming in from China.”
Medical experts in Nigeria also emphasized the need for continuous monitoring to prevent the virus from spreading within the country.
