Federal Government Tightens Monitoring, To Quarantine China Passengers against New Virus

The Federal Government has said it would activate surveillance measures for inbound passengers from China following the current surge of a respiratory virus.

Reports indicate that the virus has led to overcrowded hospitals, emergency measures and public concerns in China.

According to Chinese authorities, there has been a noticeable increase in Human Metapneumovirus , HMPV cases, especially among children under 14 years old in northern parts of the country. Social media posts, accompanied by videos of overcrowded hospitals, have sparked fears of a larger-scale health crisis.

In response to the rising cases, the Chinese government announced measures, including constant monitoring of cases, the adoption of masks, social distancing and disinfection of public spaces to curb the increase of the virus.

Meanwhile, health authorities in Nigeria are already implementing emergency measures to monitor and manage the spread of the HMPV.

The Director, Special Duties, Office of the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr John Oladejo, told the newsmen yesterday that the Federal Government would implement preventive measures by activating surveillance measures to curb the spread of the virus.