The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a public health advisory following recent reports of a Hantavirus cluster linked to international cruise ship travel involving multiple countries.
In the advisory released on Friday, the agency stated that there is currently no confirmed case of Hantavirus in Nigeria, assuring citizens that the overall risk to the public remains low.
According to the NCDC, Hantaviruses are mainly carried by rodents, while humans can become infected through contact with infected rodents, their urine, saliva, droppings or contaminated dust particles.
The agency listed common symptoms of the disease to include fever, fatigue, body aches, headaches and stomach related complications, noting that severe cases may lead to breathing difficulties.
To reduce the risk of infection, the NCDC advised Nigerians to maintain clean environments, prevent rodent infestations and store food properly. It also urged residents to dispose of waste safely, avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, and maintain regular hand hygiene practices.
The agency further disclosed that it is actively monitoring the situation while strengthening surveillance systems for emerging infectious diseases across the country.
The NCDC also appealed to the public to rely only on verified information from official health authorities and refrain from spreading misinformation capable of causing panic.
