Posted on: Sat 09-08-2025

NCDC Issues Urgent Public Health Advisory on Chikungunya Amid Rising Flood Risks

Lagos, Nigeria – August 9, 2025: The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a critical public health advisory on Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, as the nation braces for potential outbreaks amid worsening flood conditions. Released on Friday, August 8, the advisory comes in the wake of global reports of over 240,000 cases and 90 deaths across 16 countries this year, including a recent surge of nearly 5,000 cases in China since early July. While Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed cases of Chikungunya in 2025, the NCDC warns that the current environmental challenges, particularly flooding, could heighten the risk of this debilitating illness alongside Dengue and Yellow Fever.

A Growing Global Threat

Chikungunya, transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, is known for causing sudden fever, severe joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and rashes. Though rarely fatal, the persistent joint pain can significantly impair quality of life for months. The World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have documented the disease’s spread across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe, with notable outbreaks in regions like China’s Guangdong Province, where nearly 3,000 cases were reported in a single week.

The NCDC’s advisory underscores the global context, noting that increased international travel and trade could introduce the virus to Nigeria. This concern is amplified by the ongoing rainy season, which has triggered severe flooding across the country, creating ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Recent flooding events, such as the devastating May 2025 disaster in Mokwa, Niger State, which claimed 151 lives, have left large areas inundated, fostering mosquito proliferation. Scientific studies, including a 2023 Lancet review, indicate that flooding can increase the incidence of vector-borne diseases by 30-40% if preventive measures are not implemented. The NCDC highlights that stagnant water from floods, combined with the day-biting habits of Aedes mosquitoes, poses a significant threat not only for Chikungunya but also for Dengue and Yellow Fever outbreaks.

Dr. Jide Idris, Director General of the NCDC, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “While we have not seen confirmed cases this year, the environmental conditions in flood-affected and high-risk states demand proactive risk reduction. Our surveillance systems, in collaboration with the National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre (NAVRC) in Enugu, are on high alert to detect and respond to any potential outbreaks.”

The NCDC is urging Nigerians, especially those in flood-prone areas, to adopt preventive measures to safeguard their health. Recommended actions include using insecticide-treated mosquito nets, wearing long-sleeved clothing, applying mosquito repellents during early mornings and late afternoons, and eliminating standing water around homes to prevent mosquito breeding. The agency also advises seeking prompt medical attention for symptoms such as fever, rash, or joint pain.

The advisory builds on an earlier NCDC alert regarding flood-related diseases like Cholera, Yellow Fever, and Dengue, reinforcing the need for sustained vigilance. Community awareness campaigns and collaboration with state governments and health workers are being intensified to strengthen vector surveillance and control.

The NCDC is adopting a One Health strategy, integrating efforts across human, animal, environmental, and climate sectors to enhance preparedness. This holistic approach aims to mitigate the compounded risks posed by climate change, which experts predict will increase the frequency of flooding events, further exacerbating mosquito-borne disease threats.

Nigerians are encouraged to stay updated through the NCDC’s toll-free line (6232) or website (www.ncdc.gov.ng). The agency is also active on social media platforms, including X (NCDCGov), where the advisory was first shared.

As the rainy season continues and floodwaters linger, the NCDC’s message is clear: collective action and heightened vigilance are essential to protect communities from the looming threat of Chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases. With the right measures, Nigeria can avert a public health crisis and safeguard its population’s well-being.

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