The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned that the Chikungunya virus could spread in Nigeria because of worsening weather and environmental conditions.
In a public health notice signed by its Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, the NCDC said that even though no cases have been confirmed in Nigeria in 2025, the chances of the virus spreading are high.
Chikungunya is a virus spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes — the same mosquitoes that spread Dengue and Yellow Fever. These mosquitoes bite during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon, unlike malaria mosquitoes that bite at night.
The NCDC explained that heavy flooding in many areas during the rainy season has created good conditions for mosquitoes to breed and spread diseases like Chikungunya, Dengue, and Yellow Fever.
The agency warned that, although no Chikungunya cases have been confirmed yet in Nigeria this year, the current weather and flooding, especially in some states, could lead to an outbreak. So, it is important to act now to reduce the risk.
This warning is similar to an earlier one from the NCDC about other diseases linked to flooding, like Cholera, Yellow Fever, and Dengue. The same prevention tips still apply to Chikungunya.
The NCDC added that protecting yourself only at night is not enough, because these mosquitoes bite during the day too.
Using data from the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the NCDC said more than 240,000 cases and 90 deaths from Chikungunya have been reported in at least 16 countries this year.
It said that China alone has reported nearly 5,000 cases since July, with almost 3,000 of them in Guangdong Province in just one week.
Even though Nigeria has not recorded any cases yet in 2025, the NCDC is worried about how fast the disease is spreading globally and how it could be brought into Nigeria through travel and trade.
The agency urged people and officials in high-risk areas to take steps now to prevent an outbreak.
To avoid getting mosquito-borne diseases, Nigerians are advised to sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets, wear long clothes, and use mosquito repellent on exposed skin — especially in the morning and late afternoon.
The NCDC also advised people to keep their surroundings clean. They should get rid of standing water, empty containers, tyres, and flower pots, and clear gutters. People should also wash their hands often and go to the hospital quickly if they feel sick with symptoms like fever, rash, or joint pain.
The agency said it will keep working with the National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre and other partners to watch for mosquitoes, detect diseases early, and support health workers and state governments in their efforts.
