NCDC issues alert over Chikungunya outbreak

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory alerting Nigerians to the potential risk of a Chikungunya outbreak within the country.

In a statement released on Friday, the NCDC noted that over 240,000 cases and 90 deaths have been reported across at least 16 countries so far this year, with China alone recording nearly 5,000 cases since early July 2025.

Although Nigeria has not confirmed any Chikungunya cases in 2025, the agency highlighted that environmental conditions, particularly in flood-affected and high-risk states, create a favorable environment for an outbreak.

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which bite during the day. Common symptoms include sudden fever, joint and muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to take preventive actions such as using insecticide-treated mosquito nets, wearing protective clothing, applying mosquito repellents, and eliminating standing water around homes to reduce mosquito breeding sites.

Additionally, the NCDC is working with relevant partners to strengthen vector surveillance and control efforts, support healthcare workers and state governments in identifying and responding to suspected cases, and enhance community awareness and hygiene promotion campaigns.

While no recent cases have been recorded in Nigeria, the NCDC emphasized that increased global transmission and local flooding necessitate heightened vigilance to safeguard communities.

Daily Watch Nigeria.