The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged increased awareness and preparedness against Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, following a surge in global cases.
In a public health advisory, Director-General Dr. Jide Idris reported over 240,000 infections and 90 deaths across 16 countries in 2025. China alone has recorded nearly 5,000 cases since July, with 3,000 in Guangdong Province in just one week—a trend alarming health experts. While Nigeria has no confirmed cases this year, the NCDC warns that flood-prone and ecologically vulnerable states could become breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Chikungunya, Dengue, and Yellow Fever are transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, most active during early mornings and late afternoons.
Symptoms include sudden high fever, severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, rashes, fatigue, and nausea. Though rarely fatal, prolonged joint pain can hinder daily life for months. To prevent outbreaks, the NCDC is strengthening surveillance, laboratory networks, and collaboration with state health agencies and the National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre in Enugu. The agency emphasizes a One Health approach—integrating human, animal, and environmental efforts—to enhance readiness.
“With rising global cases, increased travel, and flooding aiding mosquito breeding, proactive measures are critical,” the advisory stated. The public is advised to eliminate stagnant water, wear protective clothing, and use insect repellents to curb mosquito breeding.
