Weekly Epidemiological Report

May 2020 Week 19

Editoral

COVID-19: Mandatory Institutional Quarantine for Returnees to Nigeria

Posted: 26-05-2020 12:51:00 PM

The number of COVID-19 cases confirmed globally has risen exponentially with a total of 5,204,508 cases and 337,687 deaths recorded across 200 countries as at the 24th of May 2020. The ongoing pandemic has continued to impact on every facet of our health and socio-economic wellbeing.

Till date, diverse response strategies have been employed by the Federal Government of Nigeria to control the spread of the virus including a ban on international flights to reduce importation of the disease from high risk countries. However, there has been an increasing demand from Nigerians abroad who wish to return to the country. To meet this demand, the Federal Government of Nigeria recently approved the evacuation of approximately 4,000 Nigerians from various countries. The returnees have been arriving in batches via Lagos and Abuja international airports since the 2nd week of May 2020.

Given the above, a major public concern has been preventing further importation of COVID-19. To ensure adherence to protocols and guidelines for returnees during this pandemic, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is working closely with the Ports Health Service department of the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Immigration Service. One of the current strategies being employed by the NCDC is the immediate identification and monitoring of high-risk travelers/persons of interest and implementation of the following measures;

1. Monitoring of returnees for COVID-19 symptoms during the 14 days of mandatory institutional quarantine

2. Distribution of NCDC CAREkit containing commodities such as hand sanitisers, face masks, thermometers, and an accompanying guideline to help returnees also self-monitor for symptoms

3. Sensitising quarantine facility managers, staff and returnees on basic infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to ensure safety of all

4. Facilitating sample collection and testing of all returnees under quarantine before exit

5. Liaising with state teams and authorities to facilitate the immediate transfer of positive cases to treatment centres

These efforts are yielding results and enabling the prompt detection of new cases from returnees thereby reducing the risk of the virus spreading. The NCDC will continue to provide evidence-based guidelines and protocol for the management of all returnees. We urge returnees to abide by these guidelines to protect themselves and their loved ones.


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 72 suspected cases, nine confirmed cases and one death was recorded from five LGAs in four states

Actions

To date:

• National rapid response and surge teams have been deployed from NCDC to support response activities in states

• State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre activated in affected States

• Developed Incident Action Plan to guide response activities

• High level advocacy visit by the Honourable Minister of Health and DG of NCDC to Kano State

• Implementation of Lassa fever environmental response campaign in high burden states by the Federal Ministry of Environment

Planned:

• Resource mobilisation

• Pilot indigent patient treatment scheme through the basic healthcare provision funds

• Support states to develop and implement LF response sustainability plan


Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)

Key points

There were two suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from two LGAs in two states (Delta – 1 & Sokoto – 1). None was laboratory confirmed and no 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 14 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 12 LGAs in six 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 are ongoing


Cholera

Key points

• There was one suspected case of cholera reported this week in Augie LGA, Kebbi state.

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 298 suspected cases of Measles reported from 71 LGAs in 15 states & FCT. None was laboratory confirmed 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:

• 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 case of monkeypox reported this 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 58 suspected cases of AFP reported from 53 LGAs in 23 states. 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.

• Accredited and activated twenty-six (26) testing laboratories across Nigeria so far

• Trained 3rd batch Health Care Workers (HCWs) in Kano state

• Operationalisation of next strategic directions following the COVID-19 National Outbreak Response Mid-action review meeting

• National Rapid Response Team continues to support affected states.

• Collaborated with Africa CDC to deploy additional rapid response team to states

• Printed and distributed the mandatory institutional quarantine guideline and NCDC CARE kit for the returnees and evacuees

• Developed Home care interim guideline for COVID-19 patients

Planned:

• Continue mobilisation of resources

• Continue to provide guidance to states in line with national guidelines and global best practices


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 sample 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 by State

Highlight of the week

  • Summary of Incidents
  • Lassa Fever
  • Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)
  • Yellow Fever
  • Cholera
  • Measles
  • Monkeypox
  • Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance
  • Timeliness and Completeness of Reports
  • Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State

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