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| Passenger health checks at Nigerian airport during HMPV alert |
Nigeria's playing it safe. Airport officials are ramping up measures in response to China's HMPV spreading globally. Stricter health checks now apply to passengers who are predictably miffed about waiting in longer lines; it's a necessary evil.
Health authorities aren't sounding alarms quite yet, but they're keeping their eyes peeled on HMPV. Human metapneumovirus isn't exactly a household name globally, but it's causing enough of a stir for Nigeria to pay attention now. Respiratory issues can be triggered by this virus, which has been spotted in pockets across multiple nations, sparking concerns about international spread rapidly.
Right now, the screening process is more of a “better safe than sorry” situation. Travellers landing from regions with reported cases get the extra once-over. Think temperature checks and the good old questionnaire. It’s not exactly groundbreaking, but it helps weed out potential risks.
The move follows reports of rising HMPV cases, particularly in parts of Asia and Europe. While Nigeria hasn’t reported any cases yet, the country’s health sector knows the drill. Remember how fast things escalated during the pandemic? No one’s eager for a repeat.
Airports are often the frontlines when it comes to keeping diseases at bay, and with travel back in full swing, it’s no surprise officials are playing defence. So, if you’re planning to fly in or out, maybe get comfy; those lines might be sticking around for a while.