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PREPAREDNESS FOR LASSA FEVER SEASON
As the dry season begins, we are strengthening preparedness for disease outbreaks especially for diseases with more cases recorded during this time of the year. With a focus on Cerebrospinal Meningitis last week, we discuss outbreak preparedness activities specific for Lassa fever and what is expected at each level of Government, in this week’s report. These are discussed under six pillars: Surveillance, Case management, Laboratory, Logistics, Risk Communication/Social Mobilisation and Coordination
Surveillance: LGA
• Re-engagement of community informants
• Training of community informants on case detection for Lassa fever using the standard case definition to identify alert and suspected cases
• Training and mentoring for health facility surveillance focal persons on surveillance and reporting
State
• Enhance surveillance activities
• Capacity building for State Rapid Response Team (RRT) on Lassa fever
• Support training and mentoring for health facility surveillance focal persons on surveillance and reporting
National
• Support states in surveillance activities through the use of the event-based surveillance system.
Case management/Infection Prevention and Control (IPC):
LGA
• Refresher training for Healthcare workers on IPC
• Ensuring holding areas are earmarked in health facilities.
• Notification to LGA RRT on incoming Lassa fever season
State
• Re-activate the State isolation centre
• Advisories to be shared to treatment centres and health facilities on imminent Lassa fever season.
• Distribution of National guidelines on Lassa fever case management and IPC guidelines to health facilities
• Commence purchase and distribution of Ribavirin, Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) and other consumables for Lassa fever management using previous state-specific epidemiological data
• Notification to state Emergency Preparedness response team on imminent Lasa fever outbreak
National
• Stockpiling of PPEs, ribavirin and other commodities as supplementary stock for States
Laboratory:
LGA
• Refresher training and mentoring sessions for healthcare workers on sample collection for Lassa fever
• LGA DSNO to ensure sample collection kits are available and within validity period
State
• Ensure all materials needed for sample collection are available and within validity period
• Commence purchase of small quantities of triple packaging kits in readiness for an outbreak, especially for Lassa fever prone states
• Commence negotiations with courier delivery services for sample transportation
National
• Laboratory to commence inventory of available reagents
• Commence distribution of reagents to testing labs using a distribution log
• Refresher training for lab staff on sample collection and testing
Logistics:
LGA
• Ensure resources required for case investigation, monitoring, sample transportation etc are available
State
• Develop an inventory and logistics management system
• Commence purchase of small quantities of ribavirin, PPEs and other consumables, using previous epidemiological data
National
• Develop an inventory and logistics management system
• Commence purchase of small quantities of ribavirin, PPEs and other consumables, as supplementary stock
Risk Communication/Social Mobilisation:
LGA
• Sensitization of healthcare workers on IPC
• Commence advocacy visit to community leaders
State
• Commence production of IEC materials (preferably in local languages) for distribution to the LGAs and communities
• Commence production and broadcast of TV and radio jingles on Lassa fever. Information shared to highlight the signs/symptoms and prevention measures to be taken. Contact details of relevant offices for notification to be shared with the general public
• Carry out sensitization campaigns through TV and radio interviews as well as use on state social media platforms.
• Identify any public health activity which can be leveraged on for increased coverage of campaign reach for Lassa fever
National
• Support sensitization activities with messages shared via mass, print and social media
Coordination:
LGA
• Constitute LGA RRT, where it doesn’t exist
State
• Constitute State RRT, where it doesn’t exist
• Carry out risk assessment for Lassa fever
• Commence use of State-specific Lassa fever preparedness plan
National
• Advocacy to relevant stakeholders to garner support and commitment to Lassa fever outbreak
• National Lassa fever working group to commence coordination of preparedness activities
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is deploying three teams to visit three high priority state to assess the level of state preparedness for the imminent Lassa fever season and provide support as required. This is in addition to other critical preparedness activities taking place. States are encouraged to commence preparedness activities to ensure improved health outcomes during the outbreak season.