Weekly Epidemiological Report

June 2019 Week 26

Editoral

Blending Science and Communication- The Art of Scientific Writing

Posted: 16-07-2019 08:43:30 AM

Nearly every week, a Rapid Response Team is deployed from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to respond to an outbreak. In addition to this, we are constantly reviewing and adapting best practice in infectious disease control through the development of guidelines, as well as strengthening our disease preparedness, surveillance and response strategy. In recognition of the need to share our experience with other public health institutes and contribute to science, we have identified scientific communication as one of the major priorities at NCDC in 2019.

With support from the International Association of Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) and United States Centre for Disease Control (US CDC), NCDC held a two-week training on scientific communication and writing. The training was a two-week blended programme aimed at building the capacity of early career and mid-level staff in critical areas of research, data analysis, writing and data visualisation.

Over the last two years, members of the NCDC Team have published articles in peer-reviewed journals, including the Lancet Infectious Disease Journal, Eurosurveillance, CDC Emerging Infectious Disease journal, BMJ Global Health, International Journal of Infectious Disease and several others. These can be found on our website (see link)

There is no doubt that developing and sharing experience is a critical aspect of science and public health. The NCDC remains committed to developing timely and evidence-based information as contribution to global health security.


Summary of Incidents

Ongoing Incidents are defined as confirmed cases where a national EOC or equivalent has been activated .

Other incidents are those confirmed cases for which EOC is not activated.

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 65 suspected cases of Lassa fever from 18 LGAs in ten States (Edo - 35, Ondo - 18, Ebonyi - 3, Plateau - 1, FCT – 1, Adamawa – 1, Gombe – 1, Benue – 1, Kebbi – 3 & Bayelsa - 1). Two cases were laboratory confirmed and one death was recorded.

Actions

To date:

• National LF multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate the response activities at all levels

• Dissemination of reviewed case management and IPC guidelines

• Implementation of IPC ring strategy in hot spot LGAs

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

Planned:

• Conduct zonal specific After-Action Review meetings.


Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)

Key points

• There were 12 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis reported from eight LGAs in seven states (Bayelsa – 1, Ebonyi – 1, Katsina – 3, Cross River – 4, Imo – 1, Oyo – 1 & Kwara - 1). None was Laboratory confirmed and no death recorded.

Actions

To date:

• The National CSM TWG meets weekly to review reports from states and plan appropriately

• Developed and submitted a proposal to ethical committee about using blood samples to diagnose CSM.

Planned:

• Harmonisation of SORMAS, national and laboratory line lists

• Development of Outbreak Report

• Defeating Meningitis Consultation, A global Strategy and Road Map by 2030 – ongoing.


Yellow Fever

Actions

To date:

• A multiagency YF TWG coordinates national response activities

• On-site support provided by NCDC Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to Kogi, Katsina, Nasarawa, Abia, Imo and Osun States

• Participated in the 5th Meeting of the EYE Strategy Laboratory Technical Working Group in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, from 24-26 June, 2019

• Third draft of YF National Guideline on Preparedness and Response completed

Planned:

• Finalise the Yellow fever action plan for 2019 -2021

• Develop risk communication assessment plan

• Train state surveillance teams on Yellow fever surveillance, reporting and documentation

• Operationalisation of the three new laboratories added to the YF laboratory network.


Cholera

Key points

There were 64 suspected cases of cholera reported from seven LGAs in two states (Adamawa – 40 & Katsina - 24). Eight cases were laboratory confirmed and one death was recorded.

Actions

To date:

• The Cholera TWG continues to coordinate cholera activities in states in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR) and support from partners

• Routine monitoring of states through IDSR followed by calling states with suspected cases of acute watery diarrhoea weekly

Planned:

Advocate to state governments and partners for funds to support airing of jingles and other risk communication activities.


Measles

Key points

• There were 805 suspected cases reported from 32 States. None was laboratory confirmed and four deaths were recorded

Actions

To date:

• The multi-agency National Measles TWG is monitoring and coordinating response activities across the States

Planned:

• Continue review of Measles surveillance data across the country.


Monkey pox

Key points

• There were three suspected cases reported in Rivers State, Eleme LGA. None was laboratory confirmed and one new death was recorded.

Actions

To date:

• Surveillance has been enhanced in all affected states

• Animal Surveillance in Rivers state is ongoing

Planned:

• An outbreak investigation team to be sent to Lagos state in August, 2019 to investigate previously confirmed case

Regional Monkeypox Surveillance Training to be conducted in South-East and South-South zones.


Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)

Key points

• In the reporting week, 145 suspected cases of AFP were reported from 126 LGAs in 32 States

Actions

Planned:

• Complete documentation for certification presentation to NCC for review 5th – 9th August 2019

• NIPD phase 1 proposed for 13th – 16th July 2019 to be conducted in South-South zone, South-East zone, FCT as well as Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states.


National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance

Key points

• The percentage influenza positive was highest (60%) in week 9.

Highlight of the week

  • Summary of Incidents
  • Lassa Fever
  • Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)
  • Yellow Fever
  • Cholera
  • Measles
  • Monkey pox
  • Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)
  • National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance

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