By Amos W. Peter
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has assured Nigerians that there is currently no confirmed case of Hantavirus in the country, despite growing global concerns over recent outbreaks linked to international cruise ship travel.
In a Public Health Advisory issued on Saturday, May 9, 2026, the agency stated that Nigeria remains free of the disease while surveillance systems across the country have been strengthened to detect any possible imported infections.
According to the NCDC, “At this time, there is no confirmed case of Hantavirus in Nigeria, and the overall risk to the public remains low.” The agency added that it is closely monitoring global developments surrounding the disease.
The NCDC explained that Hantavirus is mainly carried by rodents and can spread to humans through contact with infected rodents, their urine, saliva, droppings, or contaminated dust. The agency further noted that the disease is not commonly transmitted from person to person but may cause severe illness in infected individuals.
The advisory listed symptoms of the disease to include fever, fatigue, body aches, headaches, stomach-related illnesses, and breathing difficulties in severe cases.
The agency urged Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene and take preventive measures such as keeping environments clean, preventing rodent infestations, storing food safely, disposing of waste properly, and avoiding direct contact with rodents or their waste.
The NCDC also warned against spreading unverified information, stating that members of the public should rely only on updates from official public health authorities.
The advisory followed reports of suspected Hantavirus infections linked to the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius. According to Reuters, health officials disclosed that additional suspected cases had emerged in Spain and on the South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha after passengers reportedly developed symptoms linked to the outbreak.
Reuters reported that one suspected case involved a man who became ill after leaving the cruise ship, while another involved a woman who reportedly fell sick after sitting close to an infected passenger during a flight.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), according to Reuters, stated that eight suspected cases were initially identified aboard the MV Hondius, with six later confirmed through testing. Three deaths have also been recorded.
Despite the growing concerns abroad, the WHO maintained that the overall public health risk remains low.
The NCDC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health, stating that it would continue monitoring disease trends globally and provide timely updates when necessary.
Nova Pulse Times 
Leave a comment