Why NCDC is talking about potential outbreak of Chikungunya virus

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory warning of a potential outbreak of the Chikungunya virus in the country, citing worsening environmental and climatic conditions.

In a statement signed over the weekend by its Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, the agency noted that while no confirmed cases have been reported in Nigeria in 2025, the risk of transmission remains high due to widespread flooding and the ongoing rainy season.

“While no confirmed Chikungunya cases have been reported in Nigeria in 2025, the environmental conditions conducive to outbreaks are present, especially in flood-affected and high-risk states, and this requires proactive risk reduction.

“With the ongoing rainy season and increased flooding across parts of Nigeria, the risk of mosquito-borne diseases including Chikungunya, Dengue, and Yellow Fever is significantly heightened.

“This advisory builds on the NCDC’s earlier nationwide alert on flood related diseases such as Cholera, Yellow Fever, and Dengue fever. The preventive measures outlined in that advisory remain relevant and critical for reducing the risk of Chikungunya, Yellow fever and Dengue transmission as well.

“Therefore, preventive efforts must extend beyond night-time protection,” the agency added.

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the same species responsible for Dengue and Yellow Fever. Unlike Anopheles mosquitoes, which transmit malaria and bite mainly at night, Aedes mosquitoes are active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.

The NCDC said current flooding across several states has created favourable breeding conditions for disease-carrying mosquitoes, increasing the risk of outbreaks of Chikungunya, Dengue, and Yellow Fever.

The warning builds on the agency’s earlier nationwide alert on flood-related diseases, including Cholera and Yellow Fever.

Citing global data from the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the NCDC revealed that over 240,000 cases and 90 deaths have been recorded across at least 16 countries this year. China alone has reported nearly 5,000 cases since July, with Guangdong Province accounting for almost 3,000 in a single week.

While no domestic cases have been confirmed this year, the NCDC warned of the potential for importation through trade and travel to affected regions.

It urged residents in high-risk areas to take preventive measures seriously, including using insecticide-treated mosquito nets, wearing long-sleeved clothing, applying mosquito repellent, maintaining proper sanitation, and eliminating standing water to curb mosquito breeding.

The agency also advised prompt medical attention for symptoms such as fever, rash, or joint pain and reaffirmed its commitment to working with the National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre and other stakeholders to strengthen surveillance and support state-level response efforts.