No Evidence Of Hantavirus In Nigeria — NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that there is currently no evidence of hantavirus cases in Nigeria, while reassuring Nigerians that the country remains on heightened surveillance for emerging infectious diseases. The agency said it continues to monitor global health developments and strengthen its systems to quickly detect and respond to any unusual disease patterns.

The NCDC explained that hantaviruses are a group of viruses mainly carried by rodents such as rats and mice. Humans can become infected through direct contact with infected rodents or by exposure to contaminated urine, droppings, saliva, or dust particles from rodent-infested environments.

The agency noted that hantavirus infection, although rare, can lead to serious illness in some cases. It listed symptoms as including fever, fatigue, body aches, headache, and gastrointestinal issues, while severe cases may progress to difficulty breathing and other respiratory complications.

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Health officials also clarified that while some strains of the virus, such as the Andes virus, have been linked to limited human-to-human transmission in rare circumstances, there is no evidence of any such transmission or outbreak in Nigeria.

In a public health advisory, the NCDC stated that the overall risk to the general public remains low but advised Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene and environmental sanitation to reduce exposure to rodents and other disease carriers.

The agency recommended that households and communities keep surroundings clean to prevent rodent infestation, store food securely in sealed containers, dispose of waste properly, avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, and use protective equipment when cleaning contaminated areas. It also encouraged regular handwashing and strict infection prevention practices in both communities and healthcare facilities.

The NCDC further assured Nigerians that the country’s disease surveillance system remains active and capable of detecting and responding to outbreaks. It said lessons from previous public health emergencies, including Lassa fever, COVID-19, cholera, and mpox, have strengthened Nigeria’s preparedness and response capacity.

Officials urged the public not to panic, stressing that there is currently no confirmed case of hantavirus infection in the country. They also warned against misinformation, advising Nigerians to rely only on verified updates from official health sources.

As of the time of filing this report, the NCDC maintains that Nigeria remains free of hantavirus cases while continuing routine monitoring of global and local health threats.

No Evidence Of Hantavirus In Nigeria — NCDC

Breakthrough Study Shows Nasal Spray Could Slow Brain Ageing

Researchers have developed an experimental nasal spray treatment that may help reduce brain inflammation and improve memory, raising new possibilities for tackling age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions. The study was carried out at the Texas A&M University College of Medicine, where scientists examined whether targeted delivery of biological compounds through the nose could influence brain function and slow aspects of brain ageing. Researchers say the findings suggest that certain effects of ageing on the brain may be more modifiable than previously understood, particularly when inflammation in memory-related regions is addressed.

As people age, the brain can experience a gradual build-up of low-level inflammation in areas responsible for memory and learning. This process, known as “neuroinflammaging,” has been associated with slower thinking, reduced memory performance, and a higher risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The research team noted that targeting this inflammation could be key to preserving cognitive function in older adults.

The study was led by Professor Ashok Shetty, alongside researchers Madhu Leelavathi Narayana and Maheedhar Kodali. The team used tiny biological particles known as extracellular vesicles as the basis for the treatment. These vesicles carry microRNAs, which help regulate gene activity in cells. When delivered via a nasal spray, they are able to travel directly to the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier, which typically limits the effectiveness of many treatments.

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Once in the brain, the treatment was found to reduce inflammation and improve the function of mitochondria, the structures responsible for producing energy in brain cells. This improvement is believed to support better cognitive performance. In experimental models, subjects that received the nasal spray showed improvements in memory-related tasks, including better recognition of familiar objects and improved responses to environmental changes.

Researchers observed that some of these improvements appeared within weeks of treatment and, in certain cases, lasted for several months, suggesting a potentially sustained impact on brain function. The findings were published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, a peer-reviewed scientific journal focused on cellular communication and regenerative medicine.

Scientists believe the results could eventually contribute to new treatments for dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other age-related neurological disorders, as well as recovery therapies for stroke patients. However, the researchers stressed that the work is still in its early stages and has so far only been tested in experimental models.

Experts involved in the study cautioned that human clinical trials are necessary before any conclusions can be drawn about safety, effectiveness, or long-term use. They also noted that while early results are promising, many treatments that succeed in laboratory studies do not always produce the same outcomes in humans.

Despite these limitations, the study represents an important step in understanding how brain inflammation, cellular energy loss, and ageing are connected. Researchers say the goal is not only to treat disease but also to support healthier brain ageing, helping people maintain memory, focus, and mental performance later in life.

Breakthrough Study Shows Nasal Spray Could Slow Brain Ageing

Meningitis Outbreak in Sokoto State Kills 34, Infects 254 Across Nine LGAs

A meningitis outbreak in Sokoto State has claimed at least 34 lives and infected 254 persons across nine Local Government Areas (LGAs), prompting urgent public health interventions by the state government. The State Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar-Wurno, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the severity and spread of the outbreak, describing it as a serious public health emergency in Sokoto State.

To contain the spread, the Sokoto State Government has established isolation and treatment centres in Dogondaji and Kurawa communities, located in Tambuwal and Sabon Birni LGAs. Health authorities confirmed that 201 patients treated in government health facilities have been discharged, indicating some progress in managing the outbreak and stabilising infected patients.

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The commissioner provided a breakdown of confirmed cases across the nine affected LGAs: Sabon Birni recorded 63 cases, Wamakko 60, Shagari 51, Tambuwal 34, Dange-Shuni 26, Kebbe 16, Bodinga 2, Kware 2, and Gada 1. He added that laboratory tests confirmed eight positive cases of meningitis, raising concerns about ongoing community transmission.

Health officials noted that children between the ages of one and 15 years are the most affected group in the outbreak. They also identified overcrowding, dry weather conditions, and extreme heat as key factors driving the spread of meningitis infection in Sokoto communities, especially during the current seasonal conditions.

The Sokoto State Government has intensified disease surveillance, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns across affected LGAs to curb further spread. Residents have been urged to adopt preventive measures such as sleeping in well-ventilated spaces and maintaining proper hygiene, particularly during periods of extreme heat that increase vulnerability to infection.

The commissioner further disclosed that surveillance officers have been deployed across affected areas, while laboratory capacity and access to essential medications have been strengthened to ensure faster diagnosis and treatment. Authorities say these coordinated efforts are aimed at containing the meningitis outbreak in Sokoto State and preventing further loss of lives as monitoring continues.

Meningitis Outbreak in Sokoto State Kills 34, Infects 254 Across Nine LGAs