Weekly Epidemiological Report

July 2017 Week 27

Editoral

BASICS OF CASE MANAGEMENT IN A CHOLERA TREATMENT UNIT

Posted: 25-07-2017 08:05:49 PM

The Cholera outbreak in Kwara state continued in the Epi-week ending 9th of July with a total of 1,617 suspected cases reported, an increase of 3.6% from the last Epi-week. 13 laboratory samples were confirmed and 17 deaths recorded, giving a case fatality rate of 1.1%. The 1-5year age-group remains the most affected with a total of 460 (28.4%) cases. More males are affected, accounting for 51.6% of affected cases. 818 (50.5%) of suspected cases are reported from Ilorin West LGA of the State.

In a cholera outbreak, managing of affected patients may be challenging for healthcare workers, particularly in the face of limited resources. It is however important, that the basics of managing cholera cases are instituted and maintained during the course of an outbreak. These basics are categorized into 4 and summarized below:

1. Assessment of the Patient: During an outbreak, flowcharts are useful in carrying out a quick assessment of patients. It helps categorize patients based on severity of illness and for initiation of prompt medical attention. It should be structured in a simple manner for use by any cadre of healthcare worker. It must be readily available and accessible. The language used in the flowchart must be clear, preferably in local languages to improve understanding and interpretation. The flowchart should also contain clear information on the treatment protocol to be followed after assessment has been carried out.

2. Rehydration of sick patients: Rehydration through replacement of lost fluids and electrolyte is the cornerstone in the treatment of cholera. This is usually through intravenous fluids or oral rehydration solution (ORS). It is advisable that use of ORS should be sustained during and after intravenous fluid therapy. Close surveillance of cases is important during the early stages of treatment. Below is a table which summarizes methods of rehydration based on assessment findings

3. Antibiotics Use: Use of antibiotics should be restricted to severe cases, particularly those passing large volumes of stools. Rationale for this is to reduce the duration of illness and carriage of the pathogens. With the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance, it is advisable for health workers to request for sensitivity patterns of the causative organisms, which will inform choice of antibiotics to administer to affected patients. Sensitivity and resistance patterns should be requested for at the beginning and during an outbreak, as organism sensitivity to antibiotics may change over time.

4. Health Education: This is necessary so that family members of cases are enlightened on steps to avoid contamination and re-infection. The messages provided should be hinged on personal hygiene after attending to sick relatives e.g. washing of hands after touching patients, their stool or vomitus or their clothes as well as avoiding contamination of water source by washing patients’ clothes in the water.

In order to ensure cases are well managed, available manpower and resources must be mobilized in the containment of cholera outbreaks. States are continuously enjoined to collaborate with all stakeholders, harnessing and utilizing resources together in outbreak management.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) will continue to support outbreak response activities across states as its duty towards protecting the health of Nigerians.

Members of the public are advised to always seek care in a health facility if they have watery diarrhoea.


In the reporting week ending on the 9th July, 2017:

o There were 326 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 at eradicating Polio.

o 109 suspected cases of Cholera were reported from ten LGAs in three States with three Laboratory confirmed cases and one death.

o There were 11 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from seven LGAs in four States. Of these, none was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded. Ongoing surveillance for CSM has been intensified in the States.

o There were 409 suspected cases of Measles reported from 30 States. Four were laboratory confirmed and two deaths were recorded.

In the reporting week, Akwa-Ibom, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna and Taraba States failed to send in any report. Timeliness of reporting remains at 82% in both previous and current weeks (Week 26 and 27) while completeness remains 99%. It is very important for all States to ensure timely and complete reporting at all times, especially during an outbreak.


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. 12 suspected cases of Lassa fever with three Laboratory confirmed and one death (CFR, 8.33%) were reported from four LGAs (three States; Gombe – 2, Ondo – 2 & Plateau - 8) in week 27, 2017 compared with zero case at the same period in 2016.

1.2. Laboratory results of the 12 suspected cases were three positives (Plateau - 3) for Lassa fever while nine were negative (Gombe -2, Ondo -2 & Plateau – 5) for Lassa fever and other VHFs.

1.3. Between weeks 1 and 27 (2017), 332 suspected Lassa fever cases with 82 laboratory confirmed cases and 54 deaths (CFR, 16.27%) from 64 LGAs (22 States) were reported compared with 744 suspected cases with 72 laboratory confirmed cases and 87 deaths (CFR, 11.69%) from 126 LGAs (27 States) during the same period in 2016 (Figure 1).

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 2).

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 have been developed by the NCDC (Interim National Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers Preparedness guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures for Lassa fever management)

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. NCDC team sent to Edo State to support Lassa fever data harmonization & Updating of VHF case-based management database

1.5.8. Confirmed cases are being treated at identified treatment/isolation centres across the States with Ribavirin and necessary supportive management also instituted

1.5.9. Onsite support was earlier provided to Ogun, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ondo and Borno States by the NCDC and partners

1.5.10. Offsite support provided by NCDC/partners in all affected States

1.5.11. NCDC and partners are providing onsite support in Ondo and Plateau State

1.5.12. States are enjoined to intensify surveillance and promote Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) measures in health facilities.


2. MEASLES

2.1. In the reporting week, 409 suspected cases of Measles with four Laboratory confirmed and two deaths (CFR, 0.49%) were reported from 30 States compared with 152 suspected measles cases from 29 States during the same period in 2016.

2.2. So far, 14,319 suspected Measles cases with 96 laboratory confirmed cases and 81 deaths (CFR, 0. 57%) have been reported in 2017 from 36 States and FCT (Figure 4) compared with 20,368 suspected cases and 83 deaths (CFR, 0.41%) 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 (Figure 5)

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 campaigns in the North East were 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

2.6. Measles evaluation in 12 States in Nigeria commenced with National training on the 15th of July, 2017


3. POLIOMYELITIS

3.1. As at July 2nd 2017, no new case of WPV was recorded

3.2. Three new cVDPV2, environmental derived and Polio compatible cases identified

3.2.1. In the reporting week, 326 cases of AFP were reported from 236 LGAs in 31 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 SIPDs 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 Table 2

3.2.4. The 2nd and 3rd round of SIPDs completed (25th-28th February and 8th – 11th July, 2017) in 14 & 18 high risk States using bOPV respectively.

3.2.5. The 1st and 2nd rounds of NIPDs completed (from 25th – 28th March, 2017 and 22nd – 25th April, 2017) nationwide respectively.

3.2.6. Between weeks 1 and 52 in 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 - 52, in both 2016 and 2015.

3.4. Between weeks 1 and 52, 2016 two (2) cVDPV2 were isolated in two LGAs (two 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. 109 suspected cases of Cholera cases with three laboratory confirmed and one death (CFR, 0.92%) were reported from ten LGAs (three States) in week 27 compared with 34 suspected cases from three LGAs (two States) at the same period in 2016.

4.2. Between weeks 1 and 27 (2017), 778 suspected Cholera cases with 12 laboratory confirmed and 18 deaths (CFR, 2.31%) from 29 LGAs (13 States) were reported compared with 316 suspected cases and four deaths (CFR, 1.27%) from 30 LGAs (ten States) during the same period in 2016 (Figure 7).

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) 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 8).

4.4. Cholera preparedness workshop held from 31st May – 1st June, 2017 in Abuja to

develop Cholera preparedness plan as the season set in.

4.5. NCDC/partners are providing onsite support in Kwara State.

4.6. States are enjoined to intensify surveillance, implement WASH activities and ensure early reporting.


5. CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS (CSM)

5.1. In the reporting week 27, 11 suspected Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) cases were reported from seven LGAs (four States) compared with four suspected cases from two LGAs (two States) at the same period in 2016.

5.2. Between weeks 1 and 27 (2017), 9696 suspected CSM cases with 108 laboratory confirmed cases and 602 deaths (CFR, 6.21%) were recorded from 297 LGAs (31 States) compared with 519 suspected cases and 27 deaths (CFR, 5.20%) from 122 LGAs (26 States) during the same period in 2016 (Figure 9).

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 10)

5.4. Timeliness/completeness of CSM case-reporting from States to the National Level (2017 versus 2016): on average, 80.3% of the 26 endemic States sent CSM reports in a timely manner while 97.3% were complete in week 1 – 27, 2017 as against 83.8% timeliness and 98.1% 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 treated at identified treatment centres in affected States (Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Kano, Yobe and Jigawa) and necessary supportive management also instituted

5.7. CSM National Emergency Operations Centre constituted at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control

5.8. Onsite support provided to Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Yobe and Niger States by NCDC and partners

5.9. Off-site support provided to other States

5.10. Intensive Surveillance in high risk States.

5.11. Reactive vaccination completed in Zamfara State for people aged one to 29 years using polysaccharide meningococcal A & C vaccine.

5.12. Reactive vaccination completed in two wards (Gada and Kaffe) in Gada LGA in Sokoto State using polysaccharide meningococcal A & C vaccine for people aged two to 29 years.

5.13. Reactive vaccination completed in nine LGAs in Sokoto State using monosaccharide meningococcal conjugate C vaccine for aged one to 20 years.

5.14. Reactive vaccination campaign completed in Yobe State for people aged two to 29 years using polyvalent ACW conjugate vaccine.

5.15. Medical teams were trained and deployed to support case management in Sokoto and Zamfara States completed (from Friday 5th - 26th May, 2017).

5.16. Deployed mobile testing laboratory to Zamfara State to aid diagnosis

5.17. A Team was deployed by NCDC/WHO to support surveillance activities, laboratory data harmonization and monitoring of the implementation plan in Yobe state

5.18. National CSM EOC has been stepped down

5.19. Evaluation of the CSM outbreak response in Zamfara and Sokoto States is ongoing by NCDC and WHO

5.20. National CSM After-Action Review meeting to be held in Sokoto State from the 24th – 25th of July 2017.


6. GUINEA WORM DISEASE

6.1. In the reporting week, no rumour report of Guinea Worm disease was received from any State.

6.2. Nigeria has celebrated eight 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

Highlight of the week

  • In the reporting week ending on the 9th July, 2017:
  • 1. Lassa fever
  • 2. MEASLES
  • 3. POLIOMYELITIS
  • 4. CHOLERA
  • 5. CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS (CSM)
  • 6. GUINEA WORM DISEASE

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