In a public advisory signed by its Director General, Dr Jide Idris, on Monday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) noted that its risk assessment conducted for Human Metapneumovirus in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and partners classified the risk of HMPV for Nigeria as moderate. The NCDC added that it is closely monitoring the situation with the outbreak and has implemented actions to ensure public health safety.

According to the statement, “On January 6, 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and partners such as the WHO, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the UK Health Security Agency, conducted a dynamic risk assessment for Human Metapneumovirus. The assessment classified the risk of HMPV in Nigeria as moderate. This evaluation will inform and guide preparedness efforts, decision-making, and response strategies to mitigate potential impacts.”

The NCDC noted that in collaboration with Port Health Authorities proactive steps are being taken to ensure robust preparedness at all international points of entry in response to the dynamic risk assessment for HMPV, as the measures are designed to mitigate the potential risk of HMPV transmission through international travel.

“An Entry Implementation Protocol on HMPV, approved by the Honorable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, is being developed and will be distributed to all points of entry to guide response activities.

“In addition, quarantine facilities are being identified and prepared to manage any suspected or confirmed cases if required. Infection Prevention and Control materials are being deployed to PoEs to ensure adherence to hygiene and safety protocols. Information, Education, and Communication materials are being developed and distributed to raise awareness and provide clear guidelines for frontline staff and travelers at PoEs, ” it stated.

The statement highlighted the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance sites across the six geopolitical zones  will  start testing for HMPV, and provisions will be made to increase the number of tests conducted. It added that laboratories in states with international airports will be supported to enable them to test for HMPV.

Advisories have been issued to hospitals nationwide on enhanced IPC practices, including proper hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, respiratory hygiene, and cough etiquette. All health facilities are required to prepare an isolation room to isolate and treat cases.  

Published: 07/01/2025

Philip Ephraim

Nigeria

The government of Nigeria has set in motion processes to measure and manage spread of a new virus outbreak from China called Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).  Speaking to reporters including Philco News on Sunday January 5, The Director, Special Duties, Office of the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr John Oladejo, said that the Federal Government is aware of the outbreak and would implement preventive measures by activating surveillance measures to curb the spread of the virus.

According to Dr Oladejo, one of the government’s measures will be surveillance for inbound passengers from China following the current surge of a respiratory virus. Dr Oladejo clarified that, “The FG will activate surveillance measures, like quarantine, for passengers coming in from China.”

Like COVID-19, HMPV is also a respiratory illness.  HMPV typically causes milder symptoms such as a cold or flu. More severe illness, with wheezing, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, cough, pneumonia, and in adults, aggravation of asthma, also has been reported. HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes and it can also spread via contaminated surfaces.

Reports indicate that the virus has led to overcrowded hospitals, emergency measures and public concerns in China. In response to the rising cases, the Chinese government announced measures, including constant monitoring of cases, the adoption of masks, social distancing and disinfection of public spaces to curb the increase of the virus.

Cases of the have spiked across northern Chinese provinces. Neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong are closely monitoring the HMPV situation, having reported a few cases but no widespread outbreaks, according to reports.

The Chinese government has downplayed the developments as an annual winter occurrence. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday, “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season. The diseases appear to be less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that people in China follow measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness. These include, keeping distance from people who are ill, staying home when ill, getting tested and medical care as needed, wearing masks as appropriate, ensuring good ventilation, and practicing regular handwashing.

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Published: 06/01/2025

Philip Ephraim

Nigeria

In a media briefing in Yola the Adamawa State capital, Felix Tangwami the state’s commissioner for health confirmed that the current cholera outbreak in Nigeria, has claimed 12 lives in the state. Tangwami added that 304 persons have been hospitalized. Local government areas most affected include, Girei, Furore, Yola-South, and Yola-North.

Tangwami disclosed that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated 200,000 doses of cholera drugs to the state government. Commenting on efforts to curb the spread of the disease, he said, “To avoid transmission from one person to another, two individuals who visited the ward with cholera patients were quarantined by the hospital management to ensure they were not infected. Tests were conducted on them before their release.”

The commissioner advised the public to adhere to health guidelines and avoid drinking untreated water. He assured the public of the government’s efforts and commitment to curb the spread of cholera in the state.

Published: 23/09/2024

Philip Ephraim

Nigeria

The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated 10,000 doses of pharmaceuticals to support prison health facilities at KiriKiri Prison in Lagos. The medical aid is to cover 3,200 inmates if required. The donation was announced yesterday by the Commissioner for Health of Lagos State, Professor Akin Abayomi. Professor Abayomi said that water and sanitation issues have been corrected, that there are ongoing inspections of other correctional facilities in the state.

On the state of the cholera outbreak in  Lagos, the commissioner revealed that it was traced to the consumption of unregulated street beverages and contaminated water supplies. He explained that beverage samples collected from the streets by undercover environmental officers from the Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the Ministry of Health in showed serious prevalence of the vibrio cholerae bacteria responsible for causing cholera. He pointed that all the containers had no NAFDAC accreditation numbers, indicating they are small cottage backyard informal production units. Identifying the precise location of manufacture has proven difficult and the directorate of environmental health is planning to seal any such unregulated manufacture and make arrests of anybody

On the bright side, Professor Abayomi announced a decrease in the number of daily cases and deaths, indicative of the effectiveness of current  interventions. He emphasized the crucial role of residents in adhering to public health information and advice, especially seeking healthcare when symptoms are observed.

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Published: 02/07/2024

Philip Ephraim

Nigeria

President Tinubu has ordered the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to set up a committee to manage the cholera emergency operation centre operated by the National Centre For Disease Control (NCDC).

The Cholera cabinet committee will comprise the federal ministries of health, ministry of finance, water resources, environment, youth, aviation, and education.

Briefing the media on the outcomes of the cabinet meeting, the Minister of Health Dr Ali Pate, explained that  “the state governments will be co-opted so that Nigeria makes progress in reducing open defecation because cholera is a developmental issue that requires a multi-sectoral approach.”

He added that “We are in the middle of the 7th pandemic globally which is …decades in the making in 2022 the world had almost 500,000 cases of cholera so it is not only peculiar to Nigeria. In 2023 almost 700,000 cases of cholera were reported by the World Health Organization. This year, more than 200,000 cases have occurred in five regions of the world.”

The Minister also made a grim announcement the emergence of cases of Yellow Fever in Bayelsa, in southern Nigeria.

So far, the Cholera outbreak in Nigeria has spread to 31 states with 1528 recorded and 53 deaths. The country faces a critical sanitation challenge with the cholera outbreak. Health experts have called for prioritizing sanitation and enforcing regulations against open defecation.

Published: 25/06/2024

Philip Ephraim

Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said it may be forced to declare a state of emergency over rising cases of cholera in the country. Dr Olajide Idris, Director General of the NCDC said that the centre was monitoring the situation and would make the announcement if the number of cases goes beyond a manageable threshold.

According to the  NCDC, from January 1 to June 11, 2024, there were over 1,141 suspected and over 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in over 30 deaths, reported from 96 LGAs in 30 states.

Currently, Lagos State has been identified as the epicenter of the outbreak. The Lagos State Ministry of Health said it had recorded 350 suspected cases of cholera in 29 wards across multiple LGAs with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities. Fatalities were attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation.

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, said the cholera outbreak is directly linked to the state of the environment in Lagos State and the country. She pointed to the quality of water, food, open defecation, and lack of drainage systems. She added that the Lagos State Government is trying to get clean water into all areas. That they were inspecting broken pipes and trying to fix the drainage systems across the state.  

Philco News is following this development.

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Published: 20/06/2024

Philip Ephraim

Nigeria

Cases of kidney failure are on the rise in Nigeria’s northeastern states. Borno and Yobe states are most severely affected. Speaking to Philco News, Director of the Kidney Center at the University of Maiduguri Professor Ibrahim Ummate said that the rise in the number of cases was first observed in 2020. He said that as of 2024, the number of cases in the northeast have increased by 12 percent. He added that in Borno and Yobe,  the number of cases have increased by over 30 percent.

On the causes, he said that they are still unknown, that investigations are ongoing to uncover them. He added that the extreme heat in the region because of climate change may be contributing factor to worsening the situation, as most people are dehydrated throughout the day and do not drink enough water.

Currently, the wards at the center are full of patients with renal failure. Several of them have been recommended to undergo transplant due to the extent of damage of their kidneys, however, most are unable to afford the surgery and pay for treatment. Speaking anonymously, a male patient said, “I cannot afford surgery, so I will keep continue coming here for dialysis”.

On a positive note, the Bono State Government has allocated N50 million (USD 51K ) to fund kidney research in the  state.  

Kidney failure is a condition in which one or both of kidneys no longer function properly. The kidneys are unable to remove waste and balance bodily fluids. The condition could be induced by diabetes, high blood pressure, and acute kidney injuries. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea vomiting, swelling, and changes in how often goes to the bathroom.

Published: 26/05/2024

Philip Ephraim

Nigeria

There has been an upsurge in the number of cases of what has been labelled ‘mysterious pneumonia’ in China. Hospitals have been overwhelmed with sick children. Unconfirmed videos on social media show children wearing facemasks on IV drips and receiving their classes in hospitals. In Beijing, the children’s hospital is filled with sick children. Interestingly,  adults have displayed little to no signs of this respiratory illness. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) is asking China to release data on this development. WHO is cautioning against public panic, as there is no indication that the outbreak in China poses any global threat. WHO also advises against the imposition of travel restrictions “based on the current information available on this event.”  However, the  current situation in China is creating global uneasiness as it resembles events leading to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2019. 

Since October, the WHO has reported an increase in respiratory diseases in China. This is also China’s first flu season since the lifting of stringent Covid-19 restrictions, which minimized people’s exposure to a wide range of pathogens for three years. Some believe that the restrictions could have weakened people's immunity, especially those of children.

Philco News is following this story.

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Published: 24/11/2023

Philip Ephraim

Nigeria

The government of Zimbabwe has declared a state of emergency over an outbreak of Cholera. Dozens have died. Over 7,000 people are infected. The outbreak is attributed to contaminated boreholes, dilapidated sewage pipes, and flowing sewage in the streets across the southern African nation. 

National health authorities are appealing for aid to help mitigate the spread of the disease. Officers of the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) have decried the lack of supplies and health workers to effectively manage the growing number of cases. The IFRC reports that the disease is quickly spreading in multiple provinces across the country. Kuwadzana a densely populated suburb in the country’s capital Harare has been identified as the epicenter. 

 Harare’s mayor, Ian Makone, stated, "The cholera outbreak has come with vengeance". He compared the current outbreak as being worse than the 2008 outbreak that claimed over 4,000 lives. 

To mitigate the spread of the infection, the health minister, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, has ordered the removal of street food vendors and the trucking of safe drinking water.

It is feared that the outbreak could spread across the border into 

neighboring countries including Malawi, South Africa, and Mozambique. 

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The bacterium is found in contaminated water and food. Cholera treatment is via an oral rehydration solution to replace the fluids and salts lost to diarrhea and vomiting.

Published: 17/11/2023

Philip Ephraim

Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned of an outbreak of anthrax in Ghana, with serious implications for Nigeria. The organization stated that Nigerians need to be cautious of the bacterial infection because of the country’s proximity to Ghana. Ghana and Nigeria share strong tourism and trade ties, including the movement of animals like cattle, sheep, and pigs, notorious for carrying the Bacillus Anthracis bacteria.

This health advisory was issued in a tweet on the first day of Eid Al Adha in 2023. The organization also issued a media release to this effect on its website.

See tweet:

https://twitter.com/NCDCgov/status/1673957130662027265

Some Nigerians have received the health advisory with mixed feelings, considering it wrongly timed, as it coincides with the Eid celebrations, a time synonymous with the large consumption of beef and mutton.

Anthrax is a serious bacterial infection that affects both animals and humans. It often spreads through contact with contaminated soil, hair, and wool. Symptoms of this infection include high fever, loss of appetite, uncontrolled bleeding, swellings, and difficulty breathing. 

In efforts to mitigate the spread of the bacteria, the NCDC cautioned against non-essential travels to Ghana. Other measures include cleaning and disinfecting livestock enclosures, avoiding the slaughtering and eating of the meat of sick animals, and seeking medical attention immediately, if one feels one has had contact with an infected animal.

The NCDC supplied the following email address, mobile numbers, and social media handles to contact in the case of an emergency.

Email: anthrax@fmard.gov.ng | FMARD +234 811 097 2378 Twitter: @FDVPSCNigeria | Facebook: Department of Veterinary & Pest Control Services - FMARD NCDC Toll-free Number: 6232 | SMS: 08099555577 | WhatsApp: 07087110839 Twitter: @NCDCGov | Facebook: @NCDCgov | Instagram: @NCDCgov |

Published: 28/06/2023

Philip Ephraim

Nigeria