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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has assured Nigerians that there was no confirmed case of Hantavirus in the country despite reports of an ongoing cluster linked to cruise ship travel involving multiple countries.

In a public health advisory on Friday, the Director-General Jide Idris, said the agency was aware of recent reports of an ongoing Hantavirus cluster linked to a cruise ship travel involving multiple countries.

He explained that the development involved a limited number of confirmed and suspected cases associated with the cruise ship, with investigations and contact tracing ongoing, adding that current reports indicate that the risk to the general public remains low.

The NCDC boss described Hantaviruses as a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents, noting that humans could become infected through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, saliva or contaminated dust particles.

According to him, symptoms of the disease include fever, fatigue, body aches, headache and gastrointestinal symptoms, while severe cases could result in breathing difficulties and respiratory complications.

Idris stated that the current cluster had been linked to the Andes virus strain, “for which limited human-to-human transmission has previously been documented, particularly through close contact.”

Speaking of the implication for Nigeria, he said, “At this time, there is no evidence of Hantavirus cases in Nigeria. NCDC is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining surveillance for emerging infectious diseases.”

He advised Nigerians to remain vigilant and sustain preventive measures aimed at reducing exposure to rodents and maintaining proper hygiene.

“The preventive measures are similar to those recommended for other zoonotic diseases we have managed in the country and include maintaining clean environments and preventing rodent infestation, storing food properly and disposing of waste safely, avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings, and using appropriate protective measures when cleaning rodent-infested areas,” Idris said.

He also urged citizens to practice regular hand hygiene and maintain optimal infection prevention and control practices in communities and healthcare facilities.

The NCDC boss added that the agency would continue to monitor global developments closely, noting that most epidemic-prone and emerging infectious diseases were zoonotic and often transmitted by animals such as bats and rodents.

He further advised Nigerians to rely only on verified information from official public health authorities and avoid spreading unverified reports or misinformation.

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The Cross River State Ministry of Health has confirmed a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk who made the confirmation while briefing journalists at the ministry’s headquarters at the state secretariat, Calabar Tuesday, said the case, which was confirmed on the 17th of April, 2026, is the first case to be reported in the state in recent times.

According to him, the reported case of the outbreak involved a Chinese national who works with Lafarge and flew into the country on March 17 before falling ill.

The commissioner stated that the Chinese’s condition became worse at the medical facility under his office and had to be taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

He explained that at the UCTH, samples were taken and all protocols followed; it was subsequently confirmed that he had symptoms of COVID-19.

“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” the commissioner said.

Ayuk said the Ministry of Health had been repositioned by the current administration to handle and manage any situation, including diseases or epidemic outbreaks.

“I wish to assure residents of the state that we have been beefing up our preparedness capabilities since the confirmation of this case and we will use all the resources made available by the government to respond to this case.

According to him, there had been silent infections and clear cases from time to time.

“But we are determined that for every ailment, every disease or outbreak, if it is identified here in the state, there should be no alarm.

“The state will do well in terms of surveillance or containment of an outbreak. Whatever it is, we will do our best to contain it. So, there is no alarm.

“When this case was reported about three or four days ago, we decided to be careful to confirm and ensure that the processes involved in identifying and confirming every case of COVID-19 are duly followed.

Also speaking, the State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, announced that in response to the case, the state emergency response unit had been activated.

She noted that contact tracing and line listing of persons the Chinese may have come in contact with were ongoing.

While noting that the last confirmed case of COVID-19 in Cross River was in 2022, the epidemiologist said the Chinese may have contracted the virus in Nigeria.

“The incubation period for this virus is usually between two and 14 days, but the Chinese flew into Nigeria from China on March 17 and started developing symptoms on April 10.

“This is well beyond the 14-day incubation period. Like I said, we are doing the line listing of those he may have come in contact with, as part of our containment efforts.

“We have also activated the emergency response centre and deployed rapid response teams to Akamkpa, where the victim works.

“There is no way we can stop this disease, but we can stop the disease outbreak.

“It will be wrong not to contain or manage it by ensuring that people do not die,” she stated.

She therefore advised residents to regularly and thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser, maintain at least 1 & half metres (5 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

“Persons with persistent cough or sneezing should stay home or keep a social distance, but not mix in crowd, make sure you and people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene, meaning cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or into your sleeve at the bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Similarly, the World Health Organisation Coordinator in Cross River, Dr Yewande Olatunde, stated that the disease was still around.

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In a bold move to tackle the growing shortage of medical professionals, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved a significant salary increase for doctors across the state, alongside a new tax-free allowance for house officers.

The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, during a press briefing, where he revealed that entry-level doctors will now earn ₦570,000 monthly, up from the previous ₦370,000.

House officers are also set to benefit, with their earnings rising from just over ₦250,000 to above ₦350,000, boosted by a newly introduced ₦100,000 tax-free “MORE Special Allowance.”

Why the Pay Raise?

According to the commissioner, the decision was driven by concerns over the low turnout of doctors in the state’s ongoing recruitment exercise.

Despite receiving over 6,000 applications for more than 700 health worker positions, the number of qualified doctors who showed up fell short of expectations—raising alarm over staffing gaps in the healthcare system.

Government’s Strategy

The state government believes the improved salary structure will:

Attract more qualified doctors

Retain existing medical professionals

Strengthen healthcare delivery across Delta State

Joseph Onojaeme also reassured the public that the recruitment process will remain strictly merit-based, stressing that no form of payment or favoritism will be tolerated.

Big Picture

With Nigeria facing an ongoing brain drain in the medical sector, Delta State’s move is seen as a strategic attempt to compete with better-paying opportunities abroad and in the private sector.

If successful, this could set a precedent for other states struggling to keep their healthcare workforce intact.