The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has urged citizens to take immediate precautions against Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral illness, as the disease spreads rapidly in several countries worldwide.
Although no confirmed cases have been recorded in Nigeria so far in 2025, health officials warn that environmental conditions in parts of the country could make an outbreak likely.
The alert, issued on Friday through the agency’s official X account, follows alarming reports from the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Together, the agencies have documented more than 240,000 infections and at least 90 deaths in 16 countries since the beginning of the year.
China has seen a particularly sharp spike, with nearly 5,000 infections reported since July. Guangdong Province alone recorded about 3,000 cases in just one week.
Chikungunya is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito species—the same insects responsible for spreading Yellow Fever and Dengue fever.
These mosquitoes differ from malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquitoes in both their behaviour and feeding patterns. While malaria mosquitoes are active at night, Aedes mosquitoes tend to bite during the day, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.
The NCDC’s advisory outlines key symptoms to watch for: sudden fever, severe joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and rash. While the illness rarely results in death, it can cause debilitating joint pain that persists for months, affecting a patient’s ability to work or carry out daily activities.
According to the NCDC, even though Nigeria has not detected any cases this year, certain environmental and climatic factors raise the risk of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.
The agency notes that ongoing flooding in some states, coupled with warm temperatures and poor drainage systems, provides ideal breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. High-risk states, it said, should be particularly alert to the possibility of concurrent outbreaks of Chikungunya, Yellow Fever, and Dengue.
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To limit the spread of the virus, the NCDC is urging Nigerians to take practical steps to protect themselves and their families. These include:
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Sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets
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Wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers to reduce skin exposure
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Applying mosquito repellents to exposed skin, especially in the morning and late afternoon
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Eliminating stagnant water around homes to prevent mosquito breeding
The agency also emphasised the importance of prompt medical attention. Anyone experiencing fever, rash, or joint pain should seek diagnosis and treatment immediately, as early detection can help prevent complications.
The NCDC said it is working closely with state governments, laboratories in tertiary institutions, and the National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre in Enugu to improve surveillance and strengthen early detection systems. The goal, the agency explained, is to ensure that any cases are identified and contained swiftly.
Public awareness campaigns are being intensified, with the NCDC collaborating across multiple sectors—including health, environment, and climate—under the “One Health” approach. This integrated strategy recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in controlling disease spread.
“With increased global transmission and Nigeria’s environmental risk factors, it is critical for everyone to act now to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses,” the agency said in its closing statement.
Punch Newspaper
