On the 30th of January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This is a global call for countries to urgently strengthen their surveillance, emergency preparedness, diagnostic and response capacity to protect the health of their citizens against the disease.
Given the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) through the Nigeria Centre for Disease (NCDC), Department of Port Health Services and other Divisions has instituted measures to reduce the risk of importation of the disease into the country. These include daily epidemic intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance at the points of entry (PoE), intensive risk communications, capacity building in laboratory testing and high-level press briefings.
For streamlined coordination of the country’s preparedness efforts, the NCDC has initiated a national Coronavirus Preparedness Group. This is a multi-sectoral group with representatives from the Ports Health Services of the Federal Ministry of Health; Office of the National Security Adviser, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs; WHO, US Centers for Disease Control, Public Health England and Pro-Health International. The group meets daily to review the situation globally, assess the risk of spread and improve on Nigeria’s level of preparedness based on new findings and insights.
The NCDC has developed and published a surveillance case definition of the novel coronavirus which contains defined criteria for determining a suspect case of the disease. In addition, the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja, has established a laboratory testing platform ready to test samples from patients that meet this case definition. Importantly, Port Health Services and State Epidemiologists are aware of this case definition and confirmation process.
The NCDC has also published public health advisory on the novel coronavirus for Nigerians. It contains vital updates of what is known about the disease and how members of the public can ensure they are protected.
Travelers from China to Nigeria in the last 14 days are advised to report immediately to NCDC through our communication centre, if they feel ill.
NCDC remains committed to working with its parent Ministry and partners, to strengthen preparedness and reduce the risk of the novel coronavirus spreading to Nigeria.
The following resources on the novel #coronavirus #nCoV2019 have been developed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control:
1. Public health advisory to Nigerians. Version 3 published on the 2nd of February 2020: https://www.ncdc.gov.ng/news/222/3rd-february-2020%7C-public-health-advisory-to-nigerians-on-novel-coronavirus-%28%233%29
2. Case-definition to guide diagnosis in Nigeria: https://ncdc.gov.ng/themes/common/docs/protocols/117_1580674999.pdf
3. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions: https://ncdc.gov.ng/news/221/frequently-asked-questions-%E2%80%93-03%2F02%2F20
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 159 suspected cases of Lassa fever (LF) reported from 17 LGAs in six states (Edo – 76, Ondo – 70, Bauchi – 3, Taraba – 2, Plateau – 1 & Delta – 7). There were 81 confirmed cases, and 10 deaths were recorded from Edo (4), Ondo (6)
• No health care worker infection was identified in the reporting week
Actions
To date:
• National Lassa fever multi-sectoral Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) continues to coordinate response activities and support states
• NCDC Rapid Response Team (RRT) deployed to Ondo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kano and Borno states
• Confirmed cases are being treated at the designated treatment centres with Ribavirin and other necessary supportive management measures
• Enhanced surveillance (contact tracing and active case finding) in affected states
Planned:
• Pilot indigent patient treatment scheme through the Basic Healthcare Provision Funds
• Conduct LF mortality review
• Conduct an in-depth investigation of LF infection in healthcare workers
Key points
There were nine suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from eight LGAs in four states & FCT (Borno – 3, Ebonyi – 1, FCT – 1, Katsina – 3 & Taraba – 1). None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date:
• Conducted CSM risk assessment in 24 states & FCT
• Enhanced surveillance in all states
Planned:
• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
• Conduct support visit to 17 state laboratories for the diagnosis of CSM starting from 3rd, February, 2020.
• Continue to ensure that states reporting cases send their line lists and collect CSM samples
Key points
• There were 34 suspected cases of yellow fever (YF) reported from 30 LGAs in 14 states. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date:
• Three new laboratories added to the national YF laboratory network
• Ongoing updating and cleaning of the 2019 YF line list for detailed analysis to guide future response
• National multiagency YF TWG is coordinating response activities
Planned:
• National YF guideline to be made public by February 2020
• Surveillance and laboratory data harmonisation is ongoing
Key points
• There were 20 suspected cases of cholera reported from three LGAs in three states (Bayelsa – 17, Kebbi – 2 & Ogun 1). None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date
• Development of the 2020 cholera preparedness and response plan ongoing
• National cholera multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring all states and supporting already affected states
Planned:
• Ensure that reporting states conduct rapid diagnostic test/culture test and send line list of all reported cases to the national level
• Continue to follow up and monitor with non-reporting states and get updated line lists
• Follow up with State Epidemiologists of Kebbi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, and Ogun states for updates on recent reported cases
• Train Water Resources Laboratories across the six geopolitical zones on Vibrio cholerae isolation
Key points
• There were 470 suspected cases of measles reported from 136 LGAs in 30 states & FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and three deaths were recorded
Actions
To date
• Developed weekly analysis dashboard for real time monitoring of measles surveillance data to improve data visibility to guide programmes
• National measles Technical Working Group (TWG) is closely monitoring surveillance data and response activities across the country
• Supported reactive vaccination in Zamfara state
Planned:
• Continue to review measles surveillance data across the country
• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
• Conduct a risk assessment of outbreaks in affected states
Key points
• There were no suspected cases of Monkeypox reported this week
Actions
• National monkeypox TWG is monitoring activities in all states
• New monkeypox guideline published in December 2019
Planned:
• Enhance surveillance for monkeypox in high burden states, working with the animal health colleagues
• Conduct training on monkeypox surveillance and case management in the South-East from 12th – 14th February, 2020 in Owerri Imo state
Key points
• There were 93 suspected cases of AFP reported from 85 LGAs in 30 states and FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
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