The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has calmed public fears about the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), stating that there is currently no significant threat to the country.
The assurance comes amid global concerns over the virus, which has been linked to respiratory infections, particularly in vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
Speaking on a live broadcast of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, NCDC Director-General Jide Idris explained, “Let me say, there’s no serious threat for now. That’s one. Two, this HMPV virus, it’s not a new virus. It’s just that it’s not well-known.
“But it’s been implicated in many respiratory infections over the years, over the countries, especially in children, and elderly people,” the NCDC Director-General Jide Idris said on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily monitored by News Point Nigeria.
“Just like the normal flu, old virus or influenza, respiratory virus, it’s just one of those causes of respiratory problems.”
The NCDC boss said the country is monitoring the situation and is on high alert with no cases reported in Nigeria yet.
“We are in a monitoring and alert phase, and that’s why again we take instructions from WHO globally because every country is supposed to report cases like this, any case; any problem to WHO – those things that they consider might become global problems later so that they can alert every other country to get prepared,” he said on the breakfast show.
