For the year 2019, one of the top priorities for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control was to strengthen workforce for health security. This is in line with our five-year strategic plan and as part of the requirements of the International Health Regulations (IHR). Specifically, we set out to establish functional Rapid Teams (RRT) in all 36 states (including Federal Capital Territory) of Nigeria by the end of 2019.
To achieve the above, the Zonal Rapid Response Team Training (ZRRT) was conceptualised and subsequently implemented in all the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. These are North-East, North-Central, North-West, South-West, South-East and South-South zones. The sixth (final) zonal training was recently conducted for the South-South zone in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State from 14th -18th December, 2019. With this, we have met our target for 2019 to ensure every State in Nigeria has a well-trained and established RRT for immediate response during outbreaks.
The goal of the RRT training is to reinforce the capacity and skills of inter-disciplinary RRT and their individual members for early detection and effective response to public health events. The trained RRTs are expected to cascade the training to other health workers in their respective States, ensuring that all States in Nigeria have adequate personnel that can be mobilised quickly for outbreak response.
Till date, 295 state level officers have been trained across 36 states in Nigeria. This is in addition to the already trained National Rapid Response Team.
In States where these training have been completed, the skills acquired are now being consistently applied in the management of public health emergencies. The next critical step is to ensure periodic supportive supervision of already trained states RRT and also work closely with them to cascade the training to the officers at the Local Government Level.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control remains committed to supporting states in building a strong public health workforce capable of providing quick and effective response to public health threats. The zonal RRT training has begun to yield key results, contributing to national health security.
This training was funded by the World Bank Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement project (REDISSE).
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
Key points
• There were 51 suspected cases of Lassa Fever (LF) reported from 13 LGAs in 11 states (Edo – 2, Ondo – 34, Ebonyi – 2, Bauchi – 4, Nasarawa – 1, Plateau – 2, Taraba – 1, Adamawa – 1, Gombe – 2, Kogi -1 & Oyo – 1). There were 13 confirmed cases and four deaths were recorded from Ondo (3) and Gombe (1) states
Actions
To date:
• National Lassa Fever multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate response activities and support states
• Engaged contact tracers in hot spot and high burden states
• National Lassa fever After Action Review (AAR) retreat conducted
• Conducted meeting to review process for implementation of support to indigent patients
• Reviewed Lassa fever case management and surveillance tools and SOPs
Planned:
• Finalise the Lassa fever clinical fellowship curriculum
• Finalise advocacy packages for national and subnational policy/decision makers
• Finalise the Lassa fever 5-year Strategic plan
Key points
There were 9 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from five LGAs in three states (Adamawa – 2, Cross River – 4 & Katsina – 3). 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
• Enhanced surveillance in all states (with focus in states at higher risk)
• Conducted After Action Review (AAR) meeting with five states (Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Ebonyi and Cross River)
• Developed 2019/2020 CSM preparedness and response plan
Planned:
• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
Key points
• There were 44 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 38 LGAs in 15 states and FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and three deaths was recorded
Actions
To date:
• National multiagency YF EOC is coordinating response activities
• National Rapid Response Team (RRT) deployed to Bauchi, Benue and Katsina states
• International Coordinating Group (ICG) request for vaccines developed for Bauchi and Benue states with NPHCDA
Planned:
• Follow up on outcome of ICG request
Key points
• There were 60 suspected cases of cholera reported from four LGAs in three states (Adamawa – 2, Ogun – 2 & Rivers – 56). There were two laboratory confirmed cases with 11 deaths recorded
Actions
To date
• National cholera multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring all states and supporting already affected states
Planned:
• Follow up with states with active outbreaks and monitor non-reporting states
Key points
• There were 351 suspected cases of measles reported from 139 LGAs in 26 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
Planned:
• Continue the review of measles surveillance data across the country
• Finalise measles surveillance guideline
• Review implementation of sentinel sites for Congenital Rubella Syndrome in Nigeria
Key points
• There were two suspected cases of Monkeypox reported from two LGAs in two states (Lagos – 1 & Rivers – 1)
Actions
• National Monkeypox Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring activities in all states
• Capacity building of the state level officers in the South-South region
• Off-site support to affected states
Planned:
• Enhance surveillance for Monkeypox in high burden states, working with the animal health colleagues.
• Conduct regional monkeypox surveillance training in South East and North Central in January 2020
• Follow up to ensure all contacts are line listed and monitored for 21 days
Key points
• There were 89 suspected cases of AFP reported from LGAs in 28 states and FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Key points
There were 82 processed samples positive for influenza, with 68 for influenza A, 13 for influenza B and 1 for influenza A & B
Toll Free Number: 6232
Whatsapp: +234 708 711 0839
SMS Number: +234 809 955 5577 Toll Free | | 6232 |
SMS | | 0809 955 5577 |
| 0708 711 0839 | |
 | @NCDCgov | |
 | @NCDCgov |