Since 2016, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) has held her annual scientific conference on field epidemiology, the NCDC/NFELTP Conference. The 2020 edition could not hold due to the country-wide COVID-19 outbreak. Lessons and best practices learnt from previous conferences have continued to inform our preparedness, response and other public health actions in line with our mandate. To improve the scope of the conference while ensuring ownership and sustainability, the NCDC / NFELTP conference has now been renamed the “Nigerian Conference of Applied and Field Epidemiology (NiCAFE).
This year, given the need to ensure strict compliance with the national COVID-19 protocol, the NCDC hosted a virtual NiCAFE in Abuja from 26th – 28th July 2021 with the pre-conference workshops on 26th July. With the theme “Building Back better - COVID-19 and other Disease Outbreaks”, the NiCAFE provided an opportunity to discuss the epidemiology of infectious diseases in Nigeria and the impact of these on regional and global health security. The objectives of the conference were:
1. Review the epidemiology and severity of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in Nigeria
2. Evaluate the direct and indirect impacts of infectious diseases on the Nigerian health system, including protecting the health workforce
3. Review available public health, economic, and behavioural data to inform the implementation of robust public health and social measures at national and subnational levels
4. Synthesise the lessons learnt from Africa and Nigeria’s response to infectious disease outbreaks
5. Discuss emerging research and evidence on COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, and how this can affect future response activities
6. Improve core public health skills of conference attendees through workshops and lectures
7. Discuss the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases on socio-economic activities
The subthemes covered included but were not limited to epidemiology & surveillance; laboratory & diagnostics; health system strengthening; case management; governance and leadership; social sciences & community engagement; research and development etc. We are pleased with the vast knowledge and experience shared via parallel scientific oral sessions. Our renowned invited speakers from diverse backgrounds also shared their wealth of experience and impacted remarkably on the conference attendees.
In his closing remarks, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu commended our partners - the World Health Organisation, World Bank REDISEE project, US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Resolve to Save Lives, Tony Blair Institute, Public Health England, E-Health Africa and the United States Children Fund for providing strong support and partnership for a successful conference. He also thanked the invited speakers for sharing their wealth of experience, leaving a remarkable impact on the conference attendees. He also appreciated the impressive participation of all conference attendees.
The NCDC will continue to apply all lessons and best practices learnt from the conference to inform and shape our future public health actions.
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 69 suspected cases, seven were laboratory confirmed and four deaths were recorded from four 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
Key points
● There were five suspected cases of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) reported from five LGAs in three states (Ebonyi – 1, Katsina – 3 & Oyo – 1). 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
Key points
● There were 22 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 16 LGAs in 11 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
Key points
● There were 2559 suspected cases of cholera reported from 59 LGAs in nine states (Adamawa – 1, Bauchi – 1699, Bayelsa – 4, Ebonyi – 5, Kano – 563, Kebbi – 158, Kogi – 12, Plateau – 114 & Taraba – 3). Five cases were laboratory confirmed and 30 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
Key points
● There were 523 suspected cases of Measles reported from 63 LGAs in 18 states. None were laboratory confirmed and five 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
Key points
● There were three suspected cases of Monkeypox in three LGAs in two states (Bayelsa – 1 & Delta – 2). None were 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
Key points
● There were 106 suspected cases of AFP reported from 91 LGAs in 23 states and FCT. None were 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 review of IPC guidelines on suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19
● Ongoing online IPC classes for IPC intermediate diploma course for IPC professionals
● Ongoing sequencing of positive samples among travellers to Nigeria, at the National Reference Laboratory (NRL), Gaduwa
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
Toll Free Number: 6232
Whatsapp: +234 708 711 0839
SMS Number: +234 809 955 5577 Toll Free | | 6232 |
SMS | | 0809 955 5577 |
| 0708 711 0839 | |
 | @NCDCgov | |
 | @NCDCgov |