Weekly Epidemiological Report

November 2019 Week 46

Editoral

Nigeria Commemorates National Antibiotics Awareness Week

Posted: 02-12-2019 01:29:21 PM

Globally, antibiotics are widely used for the treatment of infections in human and animals. Unfortunately, these drugs are often misused resulting in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). AMR is a threat to public health, contributing to mortality rates and economic burden across the world.

In 2017, the Honourable Minister of Health appointed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the National Coordinating Secretariat for AMR-related issues in Nigeria. Since then, NCDC has continued to work closely with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as key stakeholders in AMR surveillance, awareness and other related activities. In 2017, this collaboration led to as the development of the AMR National Action Plan (using a One Health approach) and Nigeria’s enrollment into the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System.

In recognition of the importance of public awareness of AMR and as part of the global commemoration, Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate the World Antibiotics Awareness Week from the 18th–24th of November, 2019. Through an awareness walk, community engagement and other methods (see link), the AMR week provided another opportunity to raise awareness on the threats from antibiotic resistance and encourage best practices among key audiences. These audiences included farmers, students, care givers, patent drug dealers, health workers and policy makers and the global community at large.

The participants at the event included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, other relevant (MDAs) at the National level, key partners as well as influencers in the community. The objectives of the Walk and Community Engagement which held in Mpape, Abuja were to:

 Adopt a one-health approach in health, environment and agriculture in raising awareness on antibiotic resistance across all sectors

 Decrease demand for antibiotics use amongst healthy adults, children and animals

 Increase adherence to healthy behavior and sensitization to prevent acquiring infection

An important outcome from the AMR week was the strong collaboration with the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment to promote healthy behaviour as well as an appropriate and rational use of antibiotics among farmers, patent medicine vendors etc. The week ended with the launch of the National Antibiotic Plege, which is a commitment to prevent AMR. This was done by the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Distinguished Senator Oloriegbe and the Chair of the House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Honourable Dandutse Muntari.

NCDC remains committed to working with other stakeholders, in the fight against AMR.


Summary of Incidents

Notes

1. Information for this disease was retrieved from the Technical Working Group and Situation Reports

2. Case Fatality Rate (CFR) for this disease is reported for confirmed cases only

3. Information for this disease was retrieved from IDSR 002 data

4. CFR for this disease is reported for total cases i.e. suspected + confirmed

5. Information for sentinel influenza was retrieved from the laboratory


Lassa Fever

Key points

• There were 101 suspected cases of Lassa Fever (LF) reported from 19 LGAs in 12 states and FCT (Edo – 58, Ondo – 21, Ebonyi – 7, Bauchi – 4, Plateau – 2, Taraba – 1, Gombe – 1, Kebbi – 1, Cross River – 1, Lagos – 1, FCT – 1, Osun – 1 & Abia – 2). There were 13 confirmed cases and no death was recorded

Actions

To date:

• National Lassa Fever multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate response activities and support States

• Continuous monitoring of LF situation in states

• Harmonisation of LF laboratory, case management and surveillance data into the SORMAS platform

Planned:

• Finalise LF psychosocial guideline meeting in December 2019

• Review LF case management & surveillance tools and SOPs in December 2019

• Finalise advocacy packages for national and subnational policy/decision makers


Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)

Key points

There were 18 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from eight LGAs in five states (Ebonyi – 3, Kaduna – 1, Katsina – 11, Sokoto – 2 & Yobe – 1). None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded

Actions

To date:

• National CSM Technical Working Group (TWG) meets weekly to review reports from states and plan appropriately

Planned:

• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data


Yellow Fever

Key points

• There were 71 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 40 LGAs in 17 states and FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and one death was recorded

Actions

To date:

• National multiagency YF EOC is coordinating response activities

• National Rapid Response Teams (RRT) deployed to Bauchi, Benue and Katsina states

• International Coordinating Group (ICG) request for vaccines developed for Bauchi state (Ningi LGA) and Benue state (Gwer west and Makurdi LGAs) with NPHCDA

• Ongoing accreditation visit to NCDC National Reference Lab (NRL) by WHO AFRO laboratory team

Planned:

• Follow up on outcome of ICG request


Cholera

Key points

• There were 34 suspected cases of cholera reported from seven LGAs in four states (Abia – 1, Adamawa – 8, Borno – 4 & Lagos - 21). There were eight laboratory confirmed cases and no death was recorded

Actions

To date

• National cholera multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring all states and supporting already affected states

• Development of flood advisories by the communication team working with relevant TWGs

Planned:

• Follow up with states with active outbreaks and monitor non-reporting states


Measles

Key points

• There were 427 suspected cases of measles reported from 133 LGAs in 27 states. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded

Actions

To date

• National measles Technical Working Group (TWG) is closely monitoring surveillance data and response activities across the country

• Conducted measles guideline review meeting

Planned:

• Continue the review of measles surveillance data across the country

• Finalise measles surveillance guideline


Monkeypox

Key points

• There were no suspected cases of monkeypox reported this week.

Actions

• National Monkeypox Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring activities in all states

Planned

• Regional monkeypox surveillance training in South East, South West and North Central in December 2019


Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)

Key points

• There were 119 suspected cases of AFP reported from 99 LGAs in 26 states and FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded


National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance

Key points

There were 78 processed samples positive for influenza, with 68 for influenza A, 9 for influenza B and 1 for influenza A & B


Timeliness and Completeness of Reports


Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State

Highlight of the week

  • Summary of Incidents
  • Lassa Fever
  • Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)
  • Yellow Fever
  • Cholera
  • Measles
  • Monkeypox
  • Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)
  • National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance
  • Timeliness and Completeness of Reports
  • Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State

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