Weekly Epidemiological Report

January 2021 Week 3

Editoral

Enhancing National Health Security: NCDC strengthens diagnostic and case management capacity of states for COVID-19

Posted: 11-02-2021 05:53:24 PM

Since February 27th, 2020, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has led the national response for the control of the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Nigeria. Prior to the pandemic, NCDC has been working closely with states, supporting them to strengthen their preparedness and response capacities. The focus being to enable prompt detection and initiation of effective response to infectious diseases outbreaks and other public health emergencies. Our support to states includes the establishment and strengthening of diagnostic testing capacity and Public Health Emergency Operation Centres (PHEOC). It also includes the formation, training and retraining of One-Health oriented Rapid Response Teams and other categories of public health workforce across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The COVID-19 pandemic response was initially challenged by limited capacity in the areas of prompt diagnosis and management of cases. At the onset of the outbreak, Nigeria only had four molecular laboratories and few Infectious Diseases Care Centres (IDCC). For a population of over 200 million Nigerians, this was insufficient. To address the above, the Federal Government of Nigeria through NCDC in the last 11 months has continued to support states in activating and strengthening testing and case management capacities. We now have almost 120 COVID-19 testing laboratories across government and private facilities. This is in addition to support provided to states in establishing treatment centres. We have also commissioned four IDCCs over the last four months.

In accordance with this, Federal Ministry of Health through the NCDC on the 8th of February, 2021 donated a newly built IDCC and Molecular Laboratory to the management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo, Taraba State. This was commissioned and handed over by the Honourable Minister of State for Health (HMSH), Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora.

In his remarks, the HMSH commended the efforts of NCDC and the management of FMC Jalingo for their determination to see these projects to completion. He also thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment towards ensuring National Health Security.

Finally, the Director General of NCDC reiterated our commitment to building sustainable structures and strengthening the resilience of our health systems at all levels, enabling better preparedness for future outbreaks and the next pandemic.


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 129 suspected cases, 17 were laboratory confirmed and three deaths were recorded from ten LGAs in three states

Actions

To date:

• The National multisectoral Lassa fever Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated to coordinate response activities across states

• Conducted 2021 Lassa fever high burden states preparedness/response engagement meeting

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 four suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from three LGAs in two States (Ebonyi – 1 & Katsina – 3). One case 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 29 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 24 LGAs in 9 States. None was 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 (PMVC) Campaign 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 11 suspected cases of Cholera reported from two LGAs in two States (Adamawa – 7 & Nasarawa – 4)

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 165 suspected cases of Measles reported from 55 LGAs in 15 States & FCT. 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 five suspected cases of Monkeypox reported from three LGAs in two States (Bayelsa – 3 & Delta – 2). None 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 52 suspected cases of AFP reported from 51 LGAs in 20 States. None was 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

• Sensitizing corps members on infection prevention and control (IPC) across various NYSC camps in the country

• Sensitised the National Association of Resident Doctors

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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