The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has assured Nigerians that there is currently no cause for alarm over recent global reports of Hantavirus infections, stressing that the country remains free of the disease while maintaining heightened surveillance.

In a Public Health Advisory issued on Saturday, May 9, 2026, the agency addressed concerns linked to a reported Hantavirus cluster associated with international cruise ship travel involving multiple countries, clarifying Nigeria’s risk status.

According to the advisory, “At this time, there is NO confirmed case of Hantavirus in Nigeria, and the overall risk to the public remains low.”

The NCDC emphasised that it is actively monitoring developments globally and strengthening its surveillance systems to quickly detect any potential imported or emerging infectious diseases.

Hantavirus, the agency explained, is primarily carried by rodents, and human infection occurs through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, saliva, or contaminated dust. While the virus is not spread between humans in most cases, it can cause severe illness when transmitted.

The symptoms highlighted in the advisory include “Fever,” “Fatigue and body aches,” “Headache,” “Stomach-related symptoms,” and in severe cases, “Difficulty breathing.”

Despite the current absence of confirmed cases in Nigeria, the NCDC urged the public to remain cautious and adopt preventive measures aimed at reducing exposure to rodents and maintaining hygiene.

The agency outlined key safety recommendations, including keeping environments clean, preventing rodent infestation, properly storing food, safely disposing of waste, avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings, and practising regular hand hygiene.

Public health authorities also cautioned against panic or the spread of unverified information. The advisory stressed the importance of relying only on credible sources, noting: “Please rely only on verified updates from official public health authorities and avoid spreading misinformation.”

The NCDC reiterated that it remains committed to safeguarding public health and is continuously monitoring both local and international disease trends. It added that surveillance systems across the country have been reinforced to ensure early detection and rapid response to any potential health threats.

While assuring Nigerians of safety for now, the agency maintained that vigilance remains important given the evolving nature of infectious diseases globally. It said it will continue to provide timely updates as new information becomes available.

The advisory forms part of ongoing efforts by the NCDC to strengthen preparedness and risk communication in response to emerging public health concerns worldwide.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that fresh fears over the spread of hantavirus emerged after suspected infections linked to the outbreak-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius surfaced in Spain and on the isolated South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, raising concerns that the virus may have travelled far beyond the luxury liner where three people have already died.

According to Reuters, health officials disclosed on Friday that the new suspected cases involve a man who became ill after disembarking from the ship and a woman who reportedly fell sick after sitting close to an infected passenger during a flight.

The developments have heightened fears that the virus may have spread beyond the Dutch-flagged expedition cruise liner, although the World Health Organisation has continued to insist that the overall public risk remains low.

According to the WHO, eight people aboard the MV Hondius were initially identified as suspected cases of hantavirus infection, with six already confirmed through testing. Three of the infected persons have died.

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