Editoral
Nigeria’s Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Posted: 16-03-2020 11:21:53 AM
The first case of COVID-19 in Nigeria was confirmed on the 27th of February 2020. Since then, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has continued to intensify efforts to reduce the risk of spread in the country. So far, the country has confirmed two cases. The second case was a contact of the first case.
On the 11th of March 2020, WHO characterised the spread of COVID-19 as a pandemic, calling for countries to take urgent and aggressive action.
The National COVID-19 Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), activated on the 28th of February at the highest level, has been meeting daily to coordinate response activities in line with the COVID-19 Incident Action Plan (IAP). Some of the activities that have been implemented so far include:
1. Strengthening and expansion of COVID-19 laboratory diagnostic capacity. Currently, there are five laboratories with capacity to test for COVID-19 in Nigeria
2. Deployment of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to support response activities in Lagos and Ogun States
3. Recruitment and deployment of ad-hoc officers to support screening and contact tracing activities in Ogun State and high priority states with international airports including Lagos State
4. Training of states’ healthcare workers on infection prevention and control (IPC); sample collection and testing; and clinical management of COVID-19
5. Daily epidemic intelligence meeting for continuous risk assessment to provide information for follow-up action(s)
6. Intensive risk communication including press releases, radio jingles, media appearances etc.
7. Development of guidelines for IPC, case management, schools, mass gatherings etc.
These concerted efforts enabled the prompt detection of the second case of COVID-19 in Nigeria through intensive contact tracing. On the 13th of March, the patient was discharged after testing negative for the disease twice. The index case is clinically stable.
Given the continuous risk of spread, the National EOC led by NCDC continues to scale up prevention, preparedness and response measures. The President of the Federal Government of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has also set up a Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, to provide high-level strategic advice on preparedness for and response to the disease in Nigeria.
The NCDC is closely working with relevant stakeholders particularly the Ports Health Services of the Federal Ministry of Health to enhance measures at points of entry, and across the country, to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
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 443 suspected cases, 85 confirmed cases and 11 deaths recorded from 107 LGAs in 28 states and FCT
• One new healthcare worker was affected in Edo state in the reporting week
Actions
To date:
• The National Emergency Operations Centre was activated on 24th January 2020 for effective multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary coordination of Lassa fever (LF) response
• Developed LF Incident Action Plan (IAP)
• NCDC National Rapid Response Team (RRT) deployed to Ondo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Katsina, Taraba, Delta, Edo, Kano, and Borno states
• Training of healthcare workers on case management and Infection Prevention and Control
Planned:
• Pilot indigent patient treatment scheme through the basic healthcare provision funds
• Review LF deaths
• In-depth investigation of healthcare worker infections
• Operationalise LGA sanitation desks by Environmental Health Officers in all states
Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)
Key points
There were 8 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from five LGAs in three states (Borno – 1, Katsina – 4 & Cross River – 3). None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date:
• The 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 48 suspected cases of yellow fever (YF) reported from 43 LGAs in 19 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:
• Continue to harmonise surveillance and laboratory data
Cholera
Key points
• There was no suspected case of cholera reported this week
Actions
To date
• National cholera multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring all states
• Development of the 2020 cholera preparedness and response plan ongoing
• Training of water resources laboratory personnel across the 6 geopolitical zones on Vibrio cholerae isolation from environmental samples ongoing
Planned:
• Ensure that reporting states conduct rapid diagnostic test/culture test and send line list of all reported cases to the national level
• Continue follow up and monitoring of non-reporting states
• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
• Working with states to increase diagnostic testing rate
Measles
Key points
• There were 764 suspected cases of measles reported from 180 LGAs in 29 states and FCT. There was no laboratory confirmed case and two deaths were recorded
Actions
To date
• National measles Technical Working Group (TWG) is closely monitoring surveillance data and response activities across the country
Planned:
• Repeat dynamic risk assessment
• 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 was no suspected case of monkeypox reported this week
Actions
• National Monkeypox Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring activities in all states
Planned:
• Enhance surveillance for monkeypox in high burden states, working with the animal health colleagues
• Regional training on monkeypox case detection and management
Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)
Key points
• There were 81 suspected cases of AFP reported from 97 LGAs in 28 states and 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%), 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 7 with 37.5%.
Timeliness and Completeness of Reports
Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State