Weekly Epidemiological Report

January 2021 Week 2

Editoral

Building In-country Capacity for Molecular Diagnostic Testing in Nigeria

Posted: 04-02-2021 10:28:32 AM

Since 2014, Nigeria has continued to experience major outbreaks of epidemic-prone diseases (EPDs) including Ebola virus disease (2014), polio re-emergence (2016), cerebrospinal meningitis of new serotype C (2017), monkeypox (2017), Lassa fever (2018 & 2019) and the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (since 2020 till date). With this increasing risk, the capacity and capability to promptly detect and characterise the causative agents of epidemic prone diseases using molecular diagnostic platforms is a major priority for Nigeria.

In recognition of this, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has continued to build the capacity of the critical mass of the national and subnational workforce in the area molecular diagnostic techniques. The NCDC National Reference Laboratory organised a five-day training (from February 1-5, 2021) on molecular diagnostics and pathogen determination for the NCDC Public Health Laboratory network. The participants included scientists from NCDC’s National Reference Laboratory (NRL) and 15 states across Nigeria.

The goal of the training is to strengthen the molecular diagnostic capacity of the public health laboratory workforce in Nigeria. This will enhance the ability to produce accurate and reliable results to define public health intervention and control measures. The specific objectives were to:

1. Provide participants with sound knowledge on a variety of nucleic acid-based procedures for molecular diagnostics.

2. Provide hands-on training on selected nucleic acid-based procedures so as to increase the participants’ skills and confidence in performing the procedures.

3. Teach laboratory internal quality control and containment procedures for PCR.

4. Provide guidance in compliance with applicable regulations.

5. Enhance participants’ PCR troubleshooting skills.

A total of 30 participants were trained with focus on the theory and application of selected molecular diagnostics-based procedures. Other areas of the training included laboratory inventory management systems, biosafety/biosecurity measures, infection prevention and control mechanisms and laboratory waste management. A major outcome of this training is an additional pool of laboratory personnel with sound knowledge of the above especially in the context of highly infectious pathogens. We intend to train laboratory workforce in public health settings across all 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory.

We are grateful to our partners: World Bank, World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease Control, Public Health England, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, APIN Public Health Initiatives, Georgetown University, FIND and Medical and Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria for their support during the training.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control will continue to put measures in place to ensure the prevention, preparedness for, rapid detection and control of infectious disease outbreaks.


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 117 suspected cases, 14 were laboratory confirmed and two deaths were recorded from eight LGAs in three states.

Actions

To date:

• The National multi-sectoral Lassa fever Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated to coordinate response activities across states.

• Dissemination of reviewed IPC guidelines.

Planned:

• Pilot indigent patient treatment scheme through the basic healthcare provision fund.

• Finalise Lassa Fever five-year strategic plan.


Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)

Key points

• There were two suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from two LGAs in Katsina State. None were 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 16 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 12 LGAs in 10 States. None were laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded.

Actions

To date:

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

• Daily monitoring and analysis of surveillance data across the country to guide response activities.

• Concluded accelerated Preventive Mass Vaccination Campaign (PMVC) in Enugu, Delta and PMVC in Bauchi State.

Planned:

• Continue implementation of the Incident Action Plan (IAP) and mobilise required resources for the outbreak response.

• Continue to support affected states across all pillars of response.

• Continue harmonisation of surveillance and laboratory data ongoing.


Cholera

Key points

• There were no cases of cholera reported this week.

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 207 suspected cases of Measles reported from 57 LGAs in 15 states. There were three laboratory confirmed cases and one 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 Southern Ijaw LGA in Bayelsa State. One case was 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 51 suspected cases of AFP reported from 51 LGAs in 23 States and FCT. None were laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded.


National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance


Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Actions

To date:

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

• Published and disseminated the updated COVID-19 case definition to stakeholders.

• Intensified follow up with states to collect data on cases and contacts.

• Trained healthcare workers on IPC in Nasarawa State.

• Supported National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) with sensitisation of religious leaders and civil society organisations (CSOs) on planned vaccination.

Planned:

• Deploy additional Rapid Response Teams to support states.

• Finalise Local Government Area (LGA)/State transmission categorisation.

• Support supervisory visits to private laboratories in FCT.


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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