Weekly Epidemiological Report

May 2021 Week 18

Editoral

NCDC and partners conduct simulation exercise for Ebola Virus Disease

Posted: 31-05-2021 11:06:34 AM

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has continued to play her public health role as the National focal point for the implementation of International Health Regulations (IHR) in Nigeria. In line with the IIHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and our organisational strategic plan, the NCDC works closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), Public Health England (PHE) and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) and other partners to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR) through regular simulation exercises (SimEx). With this, we have continued to fill the gaps identified following the first and mid-term Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of IHR capacities conducted in 2017 and 2019 respectively.

In line with the above, the NCDC in collaboration with the WHO, PHE and RSTL from 19th – 21st July, 2021 organised a SimEx to test the country’s level of preparedness in case there is an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). This is aside other exercises that are routinely conducted for other infectious diseases such as cholera, measles, yellow fever etc.

The main objective of the exercise was to test and evaluate the five states with international airports (FCT, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, and Rivers) in the following areas:

1. Information sharing plans, systems, and SOPs between points of entry (POEs), Laboratories, States, and the National EVD Working Group

2. Protocols and policies at points of entry to triage and escalate suspected cases of EVD at international airports

3. Sample management SOPs and plans

4. Capabilities and capacities of the EVD working group, POEs and laboratories to coordinate and collaborate with other responders to EVD

Aside the facilitators from NCDC Incident Command Centre, WHO, PHE, RSTL and our One Health partners in the Animal Health and Environmental Health sector, State Epidemiologists from the afore-mentioned states also participated.

At the end of the exercise, the participants provided feedback which revealed strengths in efficient use of Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) for the coordination of emergency response. Some limitations were also identified, and will be improved upon. Importantly, the lessons learned are being reviewed to further inform capacity development processes particularly at the state-level. The SimEx also provided useful insights that have been incorporated into the National Ebola Virus Disease Contingency Plan currently being developed for Nigeria.

The exercise reflected the vision of the NCDC in ensuring national health security through persistent, proactive and evidence-based implementation of public health EPRR measures at national and sub-national levels.


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 61 suspected cases, 10 were laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded from six LGAs in four states

Actions

To date:

● Conducted 2021 Lassa fever (LF) high burden states preparedness/response engagement meeting

● Dissemination of reviewed case management and safe burial practices guidelines

● 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:

● Finalise LF five-year strategic plan


Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)

Key points

● There were 5 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from three 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 15 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 14 LGAs in seven states. None were laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded

Actions

To date:

● National YF multi-partner Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate activities across states.

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

● Ongoing validation of Mologic rapid test kit for Yellow fever

Planned:

● Continue monitoring and analysis of YF (Yellow fever) data across all states and FCT to guide response

● Continue coordination of prompt transportation samples to the laboratories


Cholera

Key points

● There were 34 suspected cases of cholera reported from six LGAs in two states (Kaduna – 9 & Nasarawa – 25). There was no laboratory confirmed case and six deaths were recorded

Actions

To date

● National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring all states and supporting affected states

● Developed the 2021 Annual Cholera Preparedness and Response Work plan

● Cholera jingles being aired in English and local languages across the country

Planned:

● Continue follow up and monitoring of non-reporting states

● Build capacity for sample collection, transportation, and laboratory diagnosis across states


Measles

Key points

● There were 691 suspected cases of Measles reported from 79 LGAs in states 13 states and FCT. There was one laboratory confirmed case and three deaths were recorded

Actions

To date

● National Measles TWG is closely monitoring measles surveillance data and providing feedback to relevant agencies and development partners

● Ongoing weekly surveillance and laboratory data harmonisation

Planned:

● Intensify follow up with states to update and transmit line list

● Continue monthly measles surveillance data review


Monkeypox

Key points

● There was no case of monkeypox recorded for this week

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 44 LGAs in 17 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

● Continued tracking and collation of data from states for strategic coordination

● Supported Africa Check to train media network on factchecking and misinformation management

● Developed campaign plan given high risk of an increase in cases

Planned:

● Deploy antigen-based rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT) kits and sample collection materials to the selected states

● Intensify genomic surveillance activities

● Conduct WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) assessment across all health facilities

● Finalise Local Government Area (LGA) / State transmission categorisation


Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Actions

To date:

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

● Continued tracking and collation of data from states for strategic coordination

● Supported Africa Check to train media network on factchecking and misinformation management

● Developed campaign plan given high risk of an increase in cases

Planned:

● Deploy antigen-based rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT) kits and sample collection materials to the selected states

● Intensify genomic surveillance activities

● Conduct WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) assessment across all health facilities

● Finalise Local Government Area (LGA) / State transmission categorisation


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)
  • Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
  • Timeliness and Completeness of Reports
  • Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State

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