Nigeria’s health authorities are ramping up surveillance after a small cluster of Hantavirus cases was reported among passengers on an international cruise ship that travelled through several countries.  

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said on Friday that it had intensified public health monitoring as a precaution. 

According to NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris, the cases involve a limited number of confirmed and suspected infections linked to the vessel.

Idris added that investigations and contact tracing are still underway in the countries affected.  

For now, the agency said there are no confirmed Hantavirus cases in Nigeria, and the risk to the wider public remains low. 

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Hantaviruses are carried by rodents and people usually catch the virus by coming into contact with infected rodents, or with their urine, saliva, droppings, or dust contaminated by them.  

NCDC said it is keeping a close watch on global developments through its surveillance and epidemic intelligence systems. 

It stressed that the aim is to spot emerging infectious diseases early, particularly those that spread from animals to humans.  

Nigerians have been advised to keep homes and surroundings clean, block gaps where rodents can enter, and avoid contact with areas where rodent activity is likely.  

NCDC further urged people to get updates only from official health sources and to avoid sharing unverified reports that could spread panic.