Editoral
Optimising Diagnostic Capacity for COVID-19 Testing in Nigeria
Posted: 14-04-2020 10:12:55 AM
Globally, the number of COVID-19 cases recorded has hit nearly two million across more than 200 countries and territories. This exponential rise is an indication of more COVID-19 tests being carried out across the globe to promptly detect the disease. However, increasing demand and global shortage of commodities has led to challenges bordering on prevention, detection and response in several countries.
Following reports of the coronavirus disease in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) promptly initiated measures to strengthen the country’s preparedness for early detection and timely response to the disease. This included strengthening in-country diagnostic capacity for the testing of COVID-19 by leveraging on existing laboratories within the NCDC molecular laboratory network. Initially, five laboratories were activated in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (1); Lagos state (2); Osun state (1); and Edo state (1).
In under four months, additional six laboratories have been activated for the testing of COVID-19 in Nigeria to cater to each geo-political zone in the country. This is critical because as of the 13th of April 2020, at least one confirmed case has been reported in all six geo-political zones in Nigeria across 19 States and the FCT.
The NCDC continues to expand diagnostic capacity for COVID-19 with the aim to add four more laboratories by the end of the week once all accreditation processes have been concluded. This expansion will significantly improve the national daily testing capacity, proximity from States’ sample collection centres to the nearest laboratory and ultimately, enhance the turn-around time from when samples arrive at the laboratory.
The list below categorises COVID-19 testing laboratories by their locations and operational status in Nigeria:
Name / Location of laboratories --- Location --- Operational Status
1. National Reference Laboratory, Gaduwa --- Abuja --- Activated
2. Lagos University Teaching Hospital --- Lagos --- Activated
3. Nigeria Institute of Medical Research --- Lagos --- Activated
4. Lagos Biobank Laboratory --- Lagos --- Activated
5. Irrua Teaching Hospital --- Edo --- Activated
6. African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases --- Osun --- Activated
7. University College Hospital Virology Laboratory --- Oyo --- Activated
8. Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki --- Ebonyi --- Activated
9. Defence Reference Laboratory --- Abuja --- Activated
10. National Veterinary Reference Laboratory --- Plateau --- Activated
11. Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital --- Kano --- Activated
12. DNA laboratory --- Kaduna --- In progress
13. University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital --- Borno --- In progress
14. University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital --- Rivers --- In progress
15. TAMRED Laboratory --- Sokoto --- In progress
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 182 suspected cases, 19 confirmed cases and one death recorded from 14 LGAs in seven states and FCT
Actions
To date:
• National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been activated to coordinate response activities across states.
• Multi-sectoral Public Health Emergency Operation Centres (PHEOC) activated in affected States
• NCDC National Rapid Response Team (RRT) deployed to Ondo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Katsina, Taraba, Delta, Edo, Kano, Borno and Bauchi states
• Carried out training on LF IPC and case management for Enugu, Delta, Abia and Anambra states
• Support to Lassa fever awareness and prevention campaign in FCT, Edo and Ondo by Hypo
Planned:
• Pilot indigent patient treatment scheme through the basic healthcare provision funds
• Support states to develop and implement Lassa fever response sustainability plan
• Operationalise LGA sanitation desks by Environmental Health Officers in all states
• Implement regular sanitation exercise in all States
Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)
Key points
There were 18 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from 11 LGAs in four states (Kaduna – 1, Kano – 1, Katsina – 14 & Kebbi – 2). None was laboratory confirmed and two deaths were 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 29 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 21 LGAs in 12 states. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date:
• National multiagency YF Technical Working Group (TWG) is coordinating response activities
Planned:
• Surveillance and laboratory data harmonisation is ongoing
Cholera
Key points
• There were six suspected cases of cholera reported in three LGAs in three states (Kano – 4, Katsina – 1 & Kogi - 1) this week. 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 already 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 894 suspected cases of Measles reported from 149 LGAs in 23 states. None was laboratory confirmed and four deaths were recorded
Actions
To date
• National Measles Technical Working Group (TWG) is closely monitoring surveillance data and response activities across the country
Planned:
• Intensify follow up with states to update and transmit line list
• Continue the review of measles surveillance data across the country
• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
Monkeypox
Key points
• There were two suspected cases of monkeypox reported in Mushin LGA of Lagos state. There was one confirmed case and no death recorded
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 61 suspected cases of AFP reported from 57 LGAs in 24 states and FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Actions
To date:
• National Emergency COVID-19 (LF) multi-partner, multi-sectoral Operations Centre (EOC) activated at level continues to coordinate response activities across states.
• Established eleven (11) COVID-19 diagnostic capacities
• National Rapid Response Team continues to support affected states
• Deployed Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS) to states not using SORMAS but with COVID-19 cases
• Deployed medical commodities to affected states
Planned:
• Continue mobilisation of resources
• Expand COVID-19 diagnostic capacities
• Virtual of health educators across Nigeria
• Continue to establish surge capacities across all response pillars
• Conduct training on case management and infection prevention and control for staff of COVID-19 treatment centres in Lagos and FCT
National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance
Key points
• The subtypes A seasonal H3, 2009A/H1N1 and A/not subtyped account for 0(0.0%), 2(9.5%) and 19 (90.5%) of the total influenza A positive samples respectively. The subtypes B VICTORIA, B Not subtyped and B Yamagata account for 0(0.0%), 8(100%) and 0(0.0%) of the total influenza B positive samples respectively.
• The percentage influenza positive was highest in week 10 with 40%.
Timeliness and Completeness of Reports
Timeliness and Completeness of Reports
Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State