The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says that Nigeria is not yet at risk of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection.
In China, thousands of people, especially children, had been hospitalised due to the infection.
The centre, apart from its advisory, also introduced COVID-19-like protocols at the airports and borders.
It listed the measures taken as comprehensive situation analysis at Points of Entry (PoEs); development of an HMPV Entry Implementation Protocol as approved by the Health Minister Prof. Ali Pate and the identification of quarantine facilities for managing suspected or confirmed cases.
NCDC Director-General (DG) Jide Idris said that following the dynamic risk assessment, the agency, in collaboration with others, is strengthening its preparedness at the PoEs, among other steps, to mitigate the potential transmission of HMPV through international travel.
He also said Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) materials and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) resources are being deployed to frontline staff and travelers.
Idris added that surveillance has been enhanced with the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance (NISS) sites monitoring Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI), now including testing for HMPV.
In addition to laboratories in states with international airports being equipped to facilitate the testing, the Director General said hospitals nationwide have received advisories on IPC practices, while healthcare workers are being trained for case management preparedness.