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Dr. Akpan Nse, the Director of Port Health Services, announced that all Points of Entry across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have been put on high alert regarding the Human Metapneumovirus. He emphasized that Lagos, as a major hub for international travel, is receiving particular focus to ensure a swift response to any potential threats.
In a statement made during a press interview, Dr. Akpan Nse disclosed that the Port Health Services had already put in motion a large-scale surveillance operation to monitor and track potential outbreaks of the Human Metapneumovirus. The surveillance is part of a broader strategy to ensure swift action.
It was reported that all entry points into the country had been alerted, with notifications sent as early as this week. In Nigeria, Port Health is present in every state of the federation. Thus, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been informed. While some states may lack seaports or airports, they all have land borders. Since travelers might enter through these borders, all states are on high alert. The notice was distributed across the federation, and Port Health officers are stationed in each state to monitor the situation.
“Then, we also prioritise the borders in the states. There are lots of international travels in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, and Port-Harcourt, and flights come in two or three times, so we need to be very alert in all those five first. And the number one is Lagos, people will come by sea, by air, and by land. So, the borders there have to be well monitored, because it could come from the nearest state or county. We have to work day and night to ensure that we screen the immigrants.
“We still need to conduct cross-border interactions. We need to be sure that our Port Health Officers, working within the border posts interact with other officers in other borders on case definition, among others.”
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that can cause a spectrum of illnesses, varying from mild, cold-like symptoms to severe respiratory conditions. The virus poses the greatest threat to young children, older adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems, who are at risk for more intense complications.
There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV. Supportive care, such as rest, hydration, and fever management, remains the primary approach to recovery.
Symptoms of the virus include cough, fever, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, wheezing, bronchitis or pneumonia (in vulnerable populations such as very young children, older people, patients with low immunity such and those on cancer treatment, uncontrolled diabetes etc.
Apart from China, cases of HMPV are also being reported in Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and Kazakhstan.
Nse, however, emphasised the importance of collaboration and mutual respect in efforts at the border community to prevent the virus.
He urged people not to challenge or undermine the authority of Port Health officials, stressing that even high-status individuals should not bypass necessary procedures, as fairness and consideration are vital for everyone involved.
The official stressed that each state must have a minimum of one quarantine center in operation, a precautionary measure that reflects the growing urgency of the situation. He went on to assure that more centers would be opened, but only if the circumstances demanded it, with decisions made based on the evolving scale of the crisis.
It was mentioned that even at the airports, there are isolation centers in place where individuals can be quarantined. While awaiting transfer to the nearest health facility in the state, whether primary, secondary, or tertiary, the necessary precautions are being followed.
He explained that Port Health officers are consistently on-site, conducting surveillance. While travelers may not always notice their presence, the officers are actively monitoring and checking the situation.
In a statement issued earlier, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) provided an update on the findings of a risk assessment for HMPV. Dr. Jide Idris, the NCDC Director General, explained that the assessment, carried out in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and key partners, had determined that the risk level of HMPV in Nigeria was moderate, highlighting the need for continued surveillance and precautionary measures.
