The Lassa fever outbreak remains active in 13 States in Nigeria, as no new States reported any outbreak. In the reporting week (week 11), 15 suspected cases were reported from four States. Two of these cases were confirmed positive for Lassa fever. No death was recorded. A total of 283 suspects have so far been reported since onset of the outbreak in December 2016. A total of 99 cases have been classified: 93 confirmed cases and 6 probable cases. The total number of deaths has remained the same in the last two weeks - 46 deaths of which 40 were in confirmed cases and 6 in probable cases. The case fatality rate for confirmed/probable is 46.5% and for all cases is 19.8%.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has continued to coordinate response in affected states. Further support has been provided through re-distribution of Ribavirin to affected States for continued case management of confirmed cases. The NCDC team in Borno State has been on-site in the last 3 weeks, providing support for the outbreak response.
In 1969, the Lassa fever virus was first discovered in Lassa town, Borno State. With this discovery, there have been recurrent outbreaks of the disease over the years. Lassa fever is a seasonal disease, which occurs during the dry season. The last few years have seen this outbreak occur in States that have been previously unaffected. This brings to question the level of preparedness at the State level. It is important that all States attain a high level of preparedness to contain any possible outbreak as this will go a long way in ensuring a good outcome, should an outbreak occur.
At the beginning of the dry season, a checklist developed by the NCDC was provided to all State Epidemiologists to enable them assess their level of preparedness in the event of an outbreak of Lassa fever or Cerebrospinal meningitis which usually occurs during this season. It is expected that gaps identified post-administration of the checklist are bridged prior to the onset of an outbreak.
The identification of gaps in a clear and systematic way will go a long way in motivating all stakeholders, including the leadership at the State level, to carry out assigned responsibilities in outbreak response.
The efforts put in by the States over the years is highly commendable, particularly in the face of limited resources. However, it is important for State Governments to take ownership of outbreak management and response activities in the State while working with partners and other stakeholders in a collaborative manner. The NCDC will continue to provide support; in every way it can, as we all work towards achieving a surveillance system that will effectively protect the health of Nigerians.
In the reporting week
o There were 271 new cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) reported. None was confirmed as Polio. The last reported case of Polio in Nigeria was in August 2016. Active case search for AFP is being intensified as Nigeria has assiduously reinvigorated its efforts to eradicate Polio.
o One new suspected case of Cholera was reported. No death was reported.
o There were 173 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from 32 LGAs in 12 States. Of this, seven cases were laboratory confirmed and 17 deaths were recorded. Surveillance for CSM is ongoing and intensified in the States, particularly as the dry season has set in.
o There were 631 suspected cases of measles reported from 33 States including the FCT. One was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded.
In the reporting week, Delta State failed to report and 36 States reported in a timely manner. Timeliness of reporting increased from 73.0% in the previous week to 76.0% while completeness increased from 99.0% in the previous week to 100.0%. This is a remarkable improvement and States are enjoined to work harder.
1. Lassa fever
Please note that the data reflects the routine reports i.e. all suspected cases including the laboratory positive and negative cases
1.1. Six suspected cases of Lassa fever with two laboratory confirmed case and one death (CFR, 16.7%) were reported from five LGAs (four States) in week 10, 2017 compared with eight suspected cases with one laboratory confirmed case and one death (CFR, 12.5%) from six LGAs (six States) during the same period in 2016 (Figure 2).
1.2. Laboratory results of the six suspected cases were two positive for Lassa fever (Edo State), three negative for Lassa fever and other VHFs (Gombe and Nasarawa States) while one result is pending (FCT– 1).
1.3. Between weeks 1 and 10 (2017), 166 suspected Lassa fever cases with 40 laboratory confirmed cases and 24 deaths (CFR, 14.46%) from 33 LGAs (11 States) were reported compared with 517 suspected cases with 50 laboratory confirmed cases and 68 deaths (CFR, 13.15%) from 110 LGAs (26 States) during the same period in 2016 (Figure 2).
1.4. Between weeks 1 and 52 2016, 921 suspected Lassa fever cases with 109 laboratory confirmed cases and 119 deaths (CFR, 12.92%) from 144 LGAs (28 States and FCT) were reported compared with 430 suspected cases with 25 laboratory confirmed cases and 40 deaths (CFR, 9.30%) from 37 LGAs (14 States and FCT) during the same period in 2015 (Figure 3).
1.5. Investigation and active case search ongoing in affected States with coordination of response activities by the NCDC with support from partners.
1.5.1. National Lassa Fever Working Group meeting and weekly National Surveillance and Outbreak Response meeting on-going at NCDC to keep abreast of the current Lassa fever situation in the country.
1.5.2. Response materials for VHFs prepositioned across the country by NCDC at the beginning of the dry season
1.5.3. New VHF guidelines being developed by the NCDC
1.5.4. Ongoing reclassification of reported Lassa fever cases
1.5.5. Ongoing review of the variables for case-based surveillance for VHF
1.5.6. VHF case-based forms completed by affected States are being entered into the new VHF management system. This system allows for the creation of a VHF database for the country.
1.5.7. Confirmed cases are being treated at identified treatment/isolation centers across the States with Ribavirin and necessary supportive management also instituted
1.5.8. Onsite support was earlier provided to Ogun, Nasarawa, Taraba and Ondo States by the NCDC and partners.
1.5.9. The NCDC has deployed a team to Borno state to support the outbreak response and coordinate case management of patients and support implementation of IPC measures amongst healthcare workers
1.5.10. NCDC distributed Ribavirn tablets to Cross-River State
1.5.11. States are enjoined to intensify surveillance
2. Measles
2.1. In the reporting week, 631 suspected cases of Measles with one laboratory confirmed case were reported from 34 States and FCT compared with 1,013 suspected measles cases from 31 States and FCT during the same period in 2016.
2.2. So far, 5,096 suspected Measles cases with 42 laboratory confirmed cases and 38 deaths (CFR, 0. 75%) have been reported in 2017 from 36 states and FCT (4) compared with 8,307 suspected cases and 15 deaths (CFR, 0.18%) from 36 states and FCT during the same period in 2016.
2.3. In 2016 (week 1 -52), 25,251 suspected Measles cases with 102 deaths (CFR, 0.40%) were reported from 36 States and FCT compared with 24,421 suspected cases with 127 deaths (CFR, 0.52%) during the same period in 2015
2.4. Response measures include immunization for all vaccine-preventable diseases in some selected/affected wards/LGAs during SIAs, as well as case management.
2.5. Scheduled Measles campaign in the North East was conducted from 12th – 17th January, 2017 in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States (Phase I) and Phase II from 21st – 25th January, 2017 in Borno State and 4th – 8th February, 2017 in Yobe State
3. Poliomyelitis
3.1. As at March 10th 2017, no new case of WPV recorded
3.2. Three new cVDPV2, environmental derived and Polio compatible cases identified
3.2.1. In the reporting week, 271 cases of AFP were reported from 205 LGAs in 33 States and FCT
3.2.2. AFP Surveillance has been enhanced and outbreak response is on-going in Borno and other high risk states
3.2.3. The 1st round of NIPDs in 2017 was conducted from 28th – 31st January 2017 in the 18 high risk States. This was carried out using mOPV2 (2nd mOPV2 OBR). The schedule for other SIAs is as described in Figure 8.
3.2.4. The 2nd round of SIPDs completed (25th-28th February, 2017) in 14 high risk States using bOPV.
3.2.5. The 3rd round of NIPDs is being proposed for 25th – 28th March 2017 nationwide.
3.2.6. Between weeks 1 and 52, 2016 four WPVs were isolated from Borno State compared to no WPV isolated during the same period in 2015.
3.3. No circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus type 2 (cVDPV2) was isolated in week 1 - 5, in both 2016 and 2015.
3.4. Between weeks 1 and 52, 2016 two (2) cVDPV2 were isolated in 2 LGAs (2 States) while one (1) cVDPV2 was isolated from Kwali, FCT during the same period in 2015.
3.5. Six confirmed WPVs were isolated in 2014.
3.6. The SIAs were strengthened with the following events:
3.6.1. Immunization for all vaccine-preventable diseases in some selected wards/LGAs.
3.6.2. Use of health camp facilities.
3.6.3. Field supportive supervision and monitoring.
3.6.4. Improved Enhanced Independent Monitoring (EIM) and Lots Quality Assessments (LQAs) in all Polio-high risk States.
3.6.5. High level of accountability framework
4. Cholera
4.1. One suspected case of Cholera was reported from Gombe LGA (Gombe State) in week 10 (2017), compared with 26 suspected cases from two LGAs (two States) during the same period in 2016.
4.2. Between weeks 1 and 10 (2017), 46 suspected Cholera cases and four deaths (CFR, 8.70%) from nine LGAs (nine States) were reported compared with 174 suspected cases and 1 death (CFR, 0.57%) from 16 LGAs (seven States) during the same period in 2016 (Figure 9).
4.3. Between weeks 1 and 52 (2016), 768 suspected Cholera cases with 14 laboratory confirmed cases and 32 deaths (CFR, 4.17%) from 57 LGAs (14 States and FCT) were reported compared with 5,301 cases with 29 laboratory confirmed cases and 186 deaths (CFR, 3.51%) from 101 LGAs (18 States and FCT) during the same period in 2015 (Figure 10).
4.4. States are enjoined to intensify surveillance.
5. Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)
5.1. In the reporting week, 173 suspected Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) cases with seven laboratory confirmed cases and 17 deaths (CFR, 9.83%) were reported from 32 LGAs (12 States) compared with 65 cases with five laboratory confirmed cases and three deaths (CFR, 4.62%) from 13 LGAs (seven States) during the same period in 2016.
5.2. Between weeks 1 and 10 (2017), 745 suspected CSM cases with 21 laboratory confirmed cases and 85 deaths (CFR, 11.41%) were recorded from 98 LGAs (22 States) compared with 218 suspected cases and 11 deaths (CFR, 5.05%) from 67 LGAs (20 States) during the same period in 2016 (Figure 11).
5.3. Between weeks 1 and 52, 2016, 831 suspected CSM cases with 43 laboratory confirmed cases and 33 deaths (CFR, 3.97%) were recorded from 154 LGAs (30 States and FCT) compared with 2,711 suspected cases and 131 deaths (CFR, 4.83%) from 170 LGAs (28 States and FCT) during the same period in 2015 (Figure 12)
5.4. Timeliness/completeness of CSM case-reporting from States to National Level (2017 versus 2016): on average, 76.9% of the 26 endemic states sent CSM reports in a timely manner while 99.2% were complete in week 1 – 10, 2017 as against 83.5% timeliness and 93.8% completeness recorded within the same period in 2016.
5.5. CSM preparedness checklist sent to 36 States and FCT ahead of 2017 meningitis season
5.6. Confirmed cases are being treated at identified treatment centres in two states (Zamfara and Katsina) and necessary supportive management also instituted
5.7. Onsite support was earlier provided to Zamfara State.
5.8. Intensive Surveillance is on-going in high risk States.
5.9. Request has been made to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency for reactive vaccination campaign in Zamfara State.
5.10. Reactive vaccination is ongoing in Birnin Magaji and Maradun LGAs (Zamfara State) for 2 years to 29 years.
6. Guinea Worm Disease
6.1. In the reporting week, no rumour reports of Guinea Worm disease was received from any State.
6.2. Nigeria has celebrated 8 consecutive years of zero reporting of Guinea worm disease in the country. The Country has been officially certified free of Dracunculiasis transmission by the International Commission for the Certification of Dracunculiasis Eradication (ICCDE).
(For further information, contact NIGEP NC/Director: Mrs. I, Anagbogu: +2348034085607, [email protected])
For More Information Contact
Surveillance Unit:
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
801 Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria.
[email protected]
www.ncdc.gov.ng/reports
0800-970000-10
In the reporting week:
o There were 275 new cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) reported. None was confirmed as Polio. The last reported case of Polio in Nigeria was in August 2016. Active case search for AFP is being intensified as Nigeria has assiduously reinvigorated its efforts to eradicate Polio.
o No new suspected case of Cholera was reported.
o There were 254 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from 38 LGAs in 12 States. Of this, four cases were laboratory confirmed and 26 deaths were recorded. Surveillance for CSM is ongoing and intensified in the States, particularly as the dry season has set in.
o There were 594 suspected cases of measles reported from 33 States including the FCT. No new laboratory confirmed and death was recorded.
In the reporting week, three States (Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Kwara) failed to report and three States reported late. Timeliness of reporting remains 76.0% in the previous week and current week while completeness decreased from 100.0% in the previous week to 99.0%.
Toll Free Number: 6232
Whatsapp: +234 708 711 0839
SMS Number: +234 809 955 5577 
