Weekly Epidemiological Report

October 2020 Week 43

Editoral

COVID-19: Safe Re-opening of NYSC Orientation Camp in Nigeria

Posted: 13-11-2020 10:58:14 AM

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria through which graduates of tertiary institutions across the country are required to complete a mandatory one-year of service to the nation. As part of this process, graduates are deployed across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and required to spend three weeks in an orientation camp in their state of deployment.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year, the NYSC orientation calendar was delayed to prevent further transmission of the disease. However, following the resumption of most socio-economic, political and educational activities across the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been working closely with NYSC authorities to ensure the safe reopening of orientation camps for prospective Corps Members and NYSC community such as staff, traders, security etc.

The main objective of this is to strengthen infection prevention control in NYSC camps and promptly identify outbreaks of COVID-19 in camps for treatment. This will involve the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), approved for use in specific settings by WHO, to screen members of every NYSC orientation camp community as resumption commences 10th of November, 2020.

NCDC in collaboration with the Presidential Task Force on CIVID-19 and NYSC, has also developed and published a National Guidelines on 2020 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp activities detailing critical information to guide corps members during their service year on reducing the risk of infection. Readiness assessments have been conducted across NYSC camps to ensure that all camps meet the key performance indicators (KPIs) of COVID-19 preventive measures and are ready for safe opening. In addition, a joint NCDC and NYSC webinar was held with corps members and a media chat with members of the press, to sensitise the public on efforts to ensure the safe reopening of NYSC orientation camps in the context of COVID-19.

We urge State NYSC officials, State Ministries of Health and other relevant stakeholders to take ownership of all COVID-19 related operations and activities across the NYSC camps in their respective states. Importantly, corps members and other NYSC community members are strongly advised to take responsibility by ensuring strict compliance with all recommended COVID-19 prevention and control measures.


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 51 suspected cases, three were laboratory confirmed and two deaths were recorded from 14 LGAs in four states

• One new healthcare worker was infected in the reporting week

Actions

To date:

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

• Enhanced surveillance (contact tracing and active case finding) ongoing in affected states

Planned:

• Continue mobilisation of resources


Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)

Key points

There were eight suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from three LGAs in two states (Borno – 4 & Katsina – 4). None was laboratory confirmed and one death was recorded

Actions

To date:

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

• Enhanced surveillance in all states

Planned:

• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data

• Continue to ensure that states reporting cases send their line lists and collect CSM samples


Yellow Fever

Key points

• There were 27 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 24 LGAs in 11 states. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded

Actions

To date:

• National multiagency YF Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has been activated to coordinate response activities in affected states

Planned:

• Continue provision of technical and logistics support to the affected statess

• Continue harmonisation of surveillance and laboratory data ongoing


Cholera

Key points

• There were 48 suspected case of cholera reported from five LGAs in five states (Bayelsa – 1, Kebbi – 1, Kwara – 1, Ondo - 3 & Sokoto – 42). None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded

Actions

To date

• National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring all states and supporting affected states

Planned:

• Continue follow up and monitoring of non-reporting states

• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data


Measles

Key points

• There were 76 suspected cases of measles reported from 39 LGAs in 12 states. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded

Actions

To date

• National Measles TWG is closely monitoring measles surveillance data and providing feedback to relevant agencies and development partners

• Weekly surveillance and laboratory data harmonisation ongoing

Planned:

• Intensify follow up with states to update and transmit line list

• Continue monthly measles surveillance data review


Monkeypox

Key points

• There was no suspected case of Monkeypox in the reporting week.

Actions

To date

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

Planned:

• Enhance surveillance for monkeypox in high burden states

• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data


Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)

Key points

• There were 63 suspected cases of AFP reported from 61 LGAs in 23 states and the FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded


National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance

Key points

• The subtypes A seasonal H3, 2009A/H1N1 and A/not subtyped account for 0(0.0%), 17(31.5%) and 37(68.5%) of the total influenza A positive samples respectively. The subtypes B VICTORIA, B Not subtyped and B Yamagata account for 3(27.3%), 8(72.7%) and 0(0.0%) of the total influenza B positive samples respectively

• The percentage influenza positive was highest in week 7 with 37.5%.


Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Actions

To date:

• National COVID-19 multi-partner Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues to coordinate response activities across states

• Ongoing deployment of risk assessment teams to hotspot LGAs across the country

• Deployed SARS-CoV-2 antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test kits (RDTs) and consumables to NYSC health centres to commence testing of corp members and officials in camps

• Conducted laboratory training of trainers (TOT) on sample collection and rapid diagnostic testing for NYSC camp opening

• Developed monthly distribution chart for a structured deployment of response materials and commodities to state laboratories

Planned:

• Participate in West African COVID-19 response experience sharing meeting

• Follow up and assessment of hand hygiene facilities under the Orange Network programme

• Review capacity of COVID testing laboratories to activate for Lassa season 2020/21

• Hold technical meeting with tertiary education stakeholders on adoption of safe reopening templates


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
  • Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
  • Timeliness and Completeness of Reports
  • Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State

Connect Centre