Weekly Epidemiological Report

September 2020 Week 38

Editoral

Fostering Epidemic Intelligence: NCDC launches National Technical Guidelines for IDSR (3rd ed)

Posted: 07-10-2020 06:15:59 PM

Nigeria is one of the World Health Organization African Region (WHO-AFRO) countries implementing the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy. This strategy was developed in 2001 by WHO-AFRO to improve the capacity of health systems in countries, at all levels, for timely detection and response to IDSR priority diseases. Given the evolving epidemiological trends of diseases, the IDSR Technical Guidelines (IDSR TG) had undergone two revisions (2010 and 2019) and adaptations by WHO-AFRO. Countries have also continued to revise and adapt this guideline within their specific epidemiological contexts.

In line with the above, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), working closely with other relevant stakeholders, has similarly continued to adapt the guideline, taking into account the country’s the epidemiological dynamics. NCDC in conjunction with key stakeholders has also carried out two in-country revisions and adaptations (2013 and 2019) of the IDSR guideline.

On the 30th of September, 2020 NCDC launched the 3rd edition of the National IDSR TG. This was a collaborative effort with development partners and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). In comparison to the 2010 and 2013 versions which had 22 and 40 priority diseases, respectively, the current edition of the IDSR guideline has 45 priority diseases including the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In addition, other new areas covered are One-Health Approach; Disaster Risk Management Strategies; Cross-border and Point of Entry Surveillance; Information Communication Technology (eIDSR); Community-based Surveillance; and Events-based Surveillance.

The launch was well attended including representatives from the national institutions, and development partners such as WHO, UNICEF, US CDC, Public Health England, Africa Field Epidemiology Network, University of Maryland, Baltimore etc. The NCDC is particularly grateful to our partners for their immense contribution to the review of the IDSR TG. We remain committed to protecting the health of Nigerians.


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 11 suspected cases, four were laboratory confirmed and one death was recorded from eight LGAs in three states

• No 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 five suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from five LGAs in four states and the FCT (Borno – 1, FCT – 1, Katsina – 1, Kebbi – 1 & Sokoto – 1). 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 33 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 27 LGAs in 13 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 harmonisation of surveillance and laboratory data ongoing


Cholera

Key points

• There were 21 suspected cases of cholera reported from two LGAs (Bagudo – 9 & Sakaba - 12) in Kebbi state. None was laboratory confirmed and one 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 87 suspected cases of measles reported from 49 LGAs in 16 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 were two suspected cases of monkeypox reported from two LGAs in two states (Ebonyi – 1 & Lagos - 1) this week. The two cases were laboratory confirmed and no death was 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 107 suspected cases of AFP reported from 86 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%), 17(33.3%) and 34(66.7%) of the total influenza A positive sample, 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 10 with 39.5%.


Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Actions

To date:

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

• Commenced engagement with states on pre-testing Surveillance Outbreak and Response Management Analysis System (SORMAS) state dashboard

• Currently engaging with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) on private laboratories registration and activation

• Ongoing engagement with PTF, Federal Ministry of Environment and state communication teams on education sector reopening

Planned:

• Train personnel from Nigeria’s uniformed services on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

• Continue engagement with states having low sample collection rates

• Engage authorities of correctional facilities for increased involvement in COVID-19 prevention and response activities


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

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