The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued an urgent public health advisory on the Chikungunya virus, as global cases of the mosquito-borne disease surge, affecting over a dozen countries.
Though no cases have been confirmed within Nigeria’s borders so far this year, the agency is urging citizens to remain alert and take preventive measures seriously.
The advisory comes on the heels of alarming data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), revealing over 240,000 cases and 90 deaths worldwide in 2025.
China is currently grappling with a significant outbreak, with nearly 5,000 confirmed cases since July—more than half of which were reported in Guangdong Province in just one week.
“Chikungunya is mainly spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes—the same species responsible for Dengue and Yellow Fever,” NCDC stated via a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Unlike malaria-carrying mosquitoes, these ones bite during the daytime, particularly in the early hours of the morning and late afternoon.”
Symptoms typically include sudden fever, intense joint pain, muscle aches, rash, fatigue, and nausea.
While the disease is rarely fatal, it can leave victims with persistent joint pain lasting for months.
Despite the current absence of confirmed cases in Nigeria, the NCDC expressed concern over environmental conditions that may fuel an outbreak.
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“Ongoing flooding and the resulting mosquito breeding grounds—especially in high-risk states—heighten the possibility of Chikungunya, Dengue, and Yellow Fever outbreaks,” the agency warned.
To reduce the risk of infection, Nigerians are advised to:
Sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets
Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers
Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin in the mornings and late afternoons
Eliminate stagnant water and maintain clean surroundings
Anyone experiencing symptoms like fever, joint pain, or rashes is encouraged to seek medical attention immediately.
The NCDC says it is actively working with state governments, tertiary labs, and the National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre in Enugu to strengthen disease surveillance and response mechanisms.
“We’re also ramping up public awareness campaigns and collaborating across sectors under the One Health framework, recognizing that health threats often span human, animal, and environmental domains,” the agency said.
With international cases climbing and local environmental conditions posing a threat, the NCDC’s message is clear: prevention is key. Citizens must act now to protect themselves and their communities.