The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is on high alert monitoring the global epidemiological situation following recent reports of the Chikungunya virus outbreak across 16 countries so far this year.
A statement signed by Dr. Jide Idris, Director General, NCDC, while quoting World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control disclosed that over 240,000 cases and 90 deaths have been reported in the 16 countries.
Notably, China has recorded nearly 5,000 cases since early July 2025, with Guangdong Province alone reporting close to 3,000 cases in a week.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, the same vectors responsible for Dengue and Yellow Fever. Unlike the Malaria-causing Anopheles mosquitoes, Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day, especially early mornings and late afternoons.
Therefore, preventive efforts must extend beyond night-time protection, NCDC stressed.
The symptoms of Chikungunya include, sudden-onset fever, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash.
Though rarely fatal, the disease can lead to debilitating joint pain that may persist for months and affect quality of life.
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, NCDC noted.
The existing surveillance and preparedness infrastructure of the NCDC in collaboration with State Governments and Tertiary Institution Laboratories, including the National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre (NAVRC) in Enugu, enables early detection and rapid response to mosquito-borne threats such as Yellow Fever, Dengue, and Chikungunya.
This infrastructure will be leveraged to enhance national readiness and response to any potential Chikungunya outbreaks.
While Nigeria has not recorded recent cases of Chikungunya, increased global transmission, regional proximity including through trade and travel to affected areas, and current environmental risks due to flooding call for heightened vigilance. The NCDC and NAVRC urges all Nigerians, especially residents and authorities in high-risk areas, to act decisively in preventing mosquito-borne illnesses.
