Weekly Epidemiological Report

June 2021 Week 25

Editoral

COVID-19: Tips for preventing 3rd wave in Nigeria amidst global surge

Posted: 23-07-2021 04:46:13 PM

Globally, many countries, including Nigeria, have continued to put necessary public health measures in place to control the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Nigeria was able to overcome 1st and 2nd wave of the outbreak through application of diverse evidence-based intervention strategies aimed at prevention, early detection and response to cases of COVID-19. Some of these strategies included lockdown, enhanced surveillance and contact tracing, establishment of country-wide network of molecular testing laboratories, intensified risk communication and community engagement, deployment of national rapid response team, distribution of essential medical commodities etc.

Similarly, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has continued to lead the roll out of COVAX facilitated vaccine. This and other afore-mentioned interventions have contributed significantly to the current level of outbreak control in Nigeria. However, the recent upsurge in the number of cases in some states remain a major source of concern and a clear indication that we are not 'out of the woods' yet.

In order to slow down transmissions and flatten quickly the curve of the 3rd wave that is still in its early phase, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has recently placed six high burden states on red alert. These are Lagos, Oyo, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory. This underscores the need to have a high index of suspicion as well as strict enforcement of COVID-19 protocol in these states. The ongoing festivities remain another red flag that could be a super spreader event for COVID-19 if care is not taken. Indiscriminate travelling and social gatherings during festivities increase the risk of spread of the virus across States. Therefore, the leadership of various states are urged to also ensure strict compliance with COVID-19 preventive protocols in their States.

In the same vein, the NCDC has scaled up risk communication activities by leveraging both new and traditional media platforms to communicate evidence-based messaging on COVID-19 preventive measures across the country. We are raising public awareness through strategic social mobilisation and community engagement while we also support the states with essential medical commodities. We are also mindful of the need to heighten surveillance at our various points of entry particularly across all international airports given the emergence of the Delta variant.

Therefore, the public is advised to continue to comply with all recommended infection prevention and control guidelines. The following measures are basic ways to reduce spread and avert the 3rd wave of COVID-19:

1. Consistent and correct wearing of face mask in public settings

2. Maintaining physical distance of at least 2 metres

3. Avoiding crowds or large gatherings

4. Regular hand hygiene

5. Mandatory temperature checks in public spaces

6. Immediately call your states specific hotlines in case you notice any of the symptoms of COVID-19

To this end, we urge Nigerians to continue to take responsibility during this festivity period and beyond by complying with public health and social measures instituted and recommended by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Our ability to overcome the current pandemic and quickly control the third wave depends largely on our collective efforts.


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 65 suspected cases, 13 were laboratory confirmed and one death was recorded from five LGAs in two 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 was six suspected cases of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) reported from four LGAs in four states (Ebonyi – 2, Kebbi – 1, Oyo – 1 & Yobe – 2). Two cases 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 49 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 37 LGAs in 16 states. None were laboratory confirmed and one death was recorded

Actions

To date:

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

● Ongoing plans to strengthen orientation of at-risk states on YF surveillance

● Ensured availability of reagents and consumables in all testing laboratories

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 939 suspected cases of cholera reported from 59 LGAs in four states & FCT (Ebonyi – 1, FCT – 1, Kano – 795, Kebbi – 60 & Plateau – 82). One case was laboratory confirmed and 18 deaths were recorded

Actions

To date

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

● National Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) with response commodities were deployed to support the response in four states – Benue, Kano, Kaduna and Zamfara States

● 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 591 suspected cases of Measles reported from 87 LGAs in 21 states & FCT. None were laboratory confirmed and four 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 were four suspected cases of Monkeypox reported from three LGAs in two states (Bayelsa – 3 & Rivers – 1). One case was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded

Actions

To date

● Enhanced Surveillance ongoing in Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States

● 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 123 suspected cases of AFP reported from 101 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

● Concluded review and finalisation of version five interim guideline for Clinical management of COVID-19

● Ongoing health facilities IPC focal persons’ refresher workshop

● Concluded plans to sequence all positive samples among travellers to Nigeria, at the National Reference Laboratory

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 by State


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 by State
  • Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State

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