The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is accelerating testing for human metapneumovirus (HMPV) across national laboratories as new wave of cases hit China, Jide Idris, NCDC director-general has said.
He said the centre has begun to equip a network of molecular laboratories with reagents for testing and is stocking up kits including personal protective equipment in anticipation of an escalation.
He noted, however, that a recent risk assessment test indicated a moderate risk level for the virus in Nigeria.
“We have a national centre where they collect and monitor cases of these viruses and collect specimens from various hospitals and send them to laboratories for testing,” Idris said during an interview on Arise TV Monday evening.
“To improve testing for HMPV we are now furnishing, various laboratories especially NIMR in Lagos by supplying reagents. We have a network of laboratories around the country with different capacities for testing.”
In the coming days, the DG said the minister of health might need to decide on what protocol to screen people coming into Nigeria from countries where these cases have been reported.
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He further noted that the centre is working closely with the port health service to monitor and track infections at the port.
It has also issued an advisory to state governments to be ready with their response teams to provide centres to manage the disease.
He urged the public to note that the virus presents with cold-like and influenza symptoms. The
In terms of case management, there are currently no specific drugs or vaccines for it, leaving a chance to treat symptoms.
These symptoms are mild in children but can get worse in adults especially those with weakened immunity or have chronic diseases such as diabetes, and cancer.
“Like most infectious diseases, the precautions are hand hygiene, avoiding contact with infected surfaces, using facemask, avoiding overcrowding, and staying in ventilated spaces,” the director-general said.
As of Tuesday, the World Health Organisation hasn’t confirmed the rising infections or declared a state of emergency for disease.
According to a study by the China Centre for Disease Control between 2017 and 2023, around 11.1 million cases of acute lower respiratory infections globally were attributable to HMPV, causing roughly 502,000 hospitalisations and 113,000 deaths.
The center says the most frequently observed clinical signs of HMPV infection are upper and lower respiratory tract infections.
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