Globally, implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) including hand hygiene remains one of the key public health strategies for the prevention and control of infections, particularly those caused by epidemic-prone pathogens. This is particularly true for the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Given the effectiveness of this strategy, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has continued to intensify her risk communication (RC) efforts by implementing evidence-based RC activities to control the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This has been of great benefit as the public is increasingly aware of necessary preventive measures to take to remain protected from the deadly virus.
Due to upsurge in the number of COVID-19 cases in 2020, the NCDC launched the “#TakeResponsibility Campaignâ€. This emphasised the need for the public to continue to observe NPIs given the high infectivity of the virus. Similarly, the NCDC also on an annual basis commemorates the World Hand Hygiene Day which is part of the global advocacy efforts to specifically promote hand washing practices. All these efforts and measures have continued to contribute significantly to the reduction in incidence of infection among the public.
Consolidating on the above and to sustain RC activities for COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health through the NCDC on the 17th of May 2021 launched another key initiative named “POWERFUL H.A.N.D.S. Campaign†with the tagline the “Power to Stop COVID-19 is in Our Hands. This builds on the previously launched #TakeResponsibility Campaign and emphasises that prevention and control of COVID-19 is in everyone’s hand. The H.A.N.D.S. acronym denotes:
H- Have your hands washed and sanitised frequently
A- Always cough or sneeze into your elbow
N- No going out without a face mask
D- Distance of at least 2 arm’s length should be maintained.
S- Stay indoors and self-isolate if you feel sick
Aside the goal of reaching out to more Nigerians to ensure improved practices of hand hygiene and other COVID-19 preventive behaviours, the campaign also provided an opportunity to secure relevant stakeholders’ buy-in for a more sustainable initiative. In attendance were representatives from Honourable Minister for Health, European Union, United Nations, National Orientation Agency, etc.
The critical next step is to deploy already developed information, education and communication materials i.e. jingles, flyers, posters to our target audience across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. These are students, healthcare workers, caregivers, market women, media houses etc.
We remain grateful to the United Nations Basket Fund, Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) and other partners for supporting this initiative. The NCDC remains committed to working closely with all relevant stakeholders in promoting behavioural change in relation to the afore-mentioned practices among the public.
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
â— There were 77suspected cases, eight were laboratory confirmed and one death was recorded from 26 LGAs in 10 states
Actions
To date:
â— Conducted 2021 Lassa fever (LF) high burden states preparedness/response engagement meeting
â— Dissemination of reviewed case management and safe burial practices guidelines
â— Ensured all five LF molecular laboratories in the NCDC network are working at full capacity for timely testing of samples with reduced turnaround time
Planned:
â— Finalise LF five-year strategic plan
Key points
◠There were five suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from four LGAs in three states (Ebonyi – 1, Enugu – 1 & Katsina – 3). None were laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date:
â— National CSM TWG meets weekly to review reports from states and plan appropriately
â— Enhanced surveillance in all states
Planned:
â— Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
â— Continue to ensure that states reporting cases send their line lists and collect CSM samples
Key points
â— There were 19 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 17 LGAs in 8 states. None were laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date:
â— National YF multi-partner Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate activities across states.
â— Daily monitoring and analysis of surveillance data across the country to guide response activities
â— Ongoing validation of Mologic rapid test kit for Yellow fever
Planned:
â— Continue monitoring and analysis of YF (Yellow fever) data across all states and FCT to guide response
â— Continue coordination of prompt transportation samples to the laboratories
Key points
◠There were 264 suspected cases of cholera reported from 13 LGAs in five states (Bayelsa – 9, Kaduna – 27, Kano – 125, Kogi - 5 & Bayelsa - 9). There was one laboratory confirmed case and thirteen deaths were recorded
Actions
To date
â— National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring all states and supporting affected states
â— Developed the 2021 Annual Cholera Preparedness and Response Work plan
â— Cholera jingles being aired in English and local languages across the country
Planned:
â— Continue follow up and monitoring of non-reporting states
â— Build capacity for sample collection, transportation, and laboratory diagnosis across states
Key points
â— There were 217 suspected cases of Measles reported from 81 LGAs in 20 states and FCT. None were laboratory confirmed and five deaths were recorded
Actions
To date
â— National Measles TWG is closely monitoring measles surveillance data and providing feedback to relevant agencies and development partners
â— Ongoing weekly surveillance and laboratory data harmonisation
Planned:
â— Intensify follow up with states to update and transmit line list
â— Continue monthly measles surveillance data review
Key points
â— There was no case of monkeypox recorded for this week
Actions
To date
â— National Monkeypox Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring activities in all states
Planned:
â— Enhance surveillance for monkeypox in high burden states
â— Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
Key points
â— There were 57 suspected cases of AFP reported from 52 LGAs in 21 states and FCT. None were laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Key points
â— There were 57 suspected cases of AFP reported from 52 LGAs in 21 states and FCT. None were laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date:
â— National COVID-19 multi-partner Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues to coordinate response activities across states
â— Conducted media appearances and interviews on hand hygiene
â— Worked with religious leaders in developing and disseminating messages for EID
â— Developed campaign plan given high risk of an increase in cases
Planned:
â— Deploy antigen-based rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT) kits and sample collection materials to the selected states
â— Intensify genomic surveillance activities
â— Conduct WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) assessment across all health facilities
â— Finalise Local Government Area (LGA) / State transmission categorisation
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