Since 2008, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have closely worked together to establish and strengthen the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (NFELTP). This has been with support from the US Centers for Disease Control, African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and other partners. The NFELTP has significantly contributed to an increased number of field epidemiologists contributing to national health security.
One of the key outcomes of this tripartite collaboration is the conception and subsequent organisation of an annual scientific conference which has held since 2016. The 2020 NCDC/NFELTP conference did not hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the importance of learning and collaboration, the 2021 conference will hold as a virtual conference. Additionally, the conference has been renamed the Nigerian Conference of Applied and Field Epidemiology†(NiCAFE).
This year’s conference will have the theme “Building Back Better-Lessons from COVID-19 and Other Disease Outbreaks†and will hold from July 26 -31 2021. The following thematic areas will be covered:
1. Governance and Leadership
2. Epidemiology, Surveillance and Transmission Dynamics
3. Case Management
4. Laboratory and Diagnostics
5. Social Sciences and Community Engagement
6. Research and Development
7. Lessons for Future Pandemic Preparedness and Strengthening IHR/Health Security
8. The Role of Agriculture and Environment in Disease Transmission
9. Health System Strengthening for Future Pandemics
NiCAFE provides an opportunity for the sharing of insights on the topics above. This includes the epidemiology of infectious diseases in Nigeria and the impact of these on regional and global health security. It will also allow speakers and attendees to share their experiences, knowledge and demonstrate practical techniques for the prevention, detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks.
We invite health workers, epidemiologists, researchers, policy specialists, the media, and members of the public to save the date. Further information about the conference including registration, abstract submission details and others will be available on the NCDC website.
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
Key points
• There were 153 suspected cases, 14 were laboratory confirmed and two deaths were recorded from ten LGAs in six states.
Actions
To date:
• Conducted 2021 Lassa fever high burden states preparedness/response engagement meeting.
• Lassa fever alert letters sent to states.
Planned:
• Pilot indigent patient treatment scheme through the basic healthcare provision fund.
• Finalise Lassa fever five-year strategic plan.
Note:
* Outbreak data added to routine data.
Key points
• There were nine suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from six LGAs in four states. There was no laboratory confirmed case 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.
Key points
• There were 24 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 19 LGAs in nine 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 Campaign (PMVC) in Enugu, Delta and PMVC in Bauchi State.
Planned:
• Continue to support affected states across all pillars of response.
• Continue harmonisation of surveillance and laboratory data ongoing.
Key points
• There were two suspected cases of Cholera reported from two LGAs in two states (Cross River – 1 & Nasarawa – 1).
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.
Key points
• There were 252 suspected cases of measles reported from 63 LGAs in 15 States & FCT. None were 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.
Key points
• There was one suspected case of monkeypox reported from Port Harcourt LGA in Rivers State. 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.
Key points
• There were 55 suspected cases of AFP reported from 52 LGAs in 23 states and FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded.
Actions
To date:
• National COVID-19 multi-partner Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues to coordinate response activities across states.
• Ongoing pilot of antigen rapid diagnostic tests kits (Ag RDTs) in four hospitals in FCT.
• Intensified follow up with states to collect data on cases and contacts.
• Ongoing infection prevention and control (IPC) course of health workers across tertiary health facilities under the Orange Network.
• 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.
• Pilot antigen rapid diagnostic tests kits (Ag RDTs) in selected health facilities in all states.
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