Attachments
STRENGTHENING OF STATE EMERGENCY PREPAREDENESS AND RESPONSE CAPACITY
In the reporting week that ended on the 15th of April 2018, Nigeria recorded the lowest number of new Lassa fever cases since the onset of the outbreak in January 1st 2018. Five new cases were reported across four states.
The outbreak has taught us a lot of lessons including the need to strengthen surveillance and response architecture at state level.
This week, the Nigeria Centre Disease Control (NCDC) supported the Zamfara State Government in setting up a State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) to promote effective coordination of outbreaks and events of public health importance. The choice of Zamfara is also based on the large Meningitis outbreak of 2016/2017 where the State was the epicentre.
Following the commissioning of the PHEOC on the 18th of April 2018, a 12-day training for the Zamfara State team and partners commenced, led by a Team from NCDC. The training focused on the overview of the Incident Management System (IMS) structure, highlighting the principles of operations and management of evolving public health events that may require activation of the PHEOC.
SUMMARY OF REPORTS
In the reporting week ending on April 8, 2018:
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There were 209 new cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) reported. None was confirmed as Polio. The last reported case of Polio in Nigeria was in August 2016. Active case search for AFP is being intensified as Nigeria has reinvigorated its efforts at eradicating Polio.
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602 suspected cases of Cholera were reported from 11 LGAs in nine States (Abia – 8, Anambra – 20, Bauchi – 420, Borno – 2, FCT – 1, Kaduna – 1, Nasarawa – 8, Yobe – 136 & Zamfara – 6). Of these, 13 were laboratory confirmed and nine deaths were recorded.
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19 suspected cases of Lassa fever were reported from ten LGAs in eight States (Ebonyi - 1, Edo – 3, FCT – 2, Gombe – 1, Nasarawa – 1, Ondo – 9, Oyo – 1 & Plateau – 1). Two were laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded.
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There were 256 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from 66 LGAs in 15 States (Bauchi – 1, Borno – 1, Cross River – 1, Ebonyi – 1, FCT – 1, Jigawa – 7, Kaduna – 4, Kano – 13, Katsina - 116, Kebbi – 5, Plateau – 1, Sokoto – 39, Taraba – 1, Yobe - 2 & Zamfara - 63). Of these, one was laboratory confirmed and 13 deaths were recorded. Ongoing surveillance for CSM has been intensified in all the 26 States in the Nigeria meningitis belt and case-based surveillance commenced from 4th December 2017
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There were 730 suspected cases of Measles reported from 35 States. No were laboratory confirmed and 12 deaths were recorded.
In the reporting week, all States sent in their report except Benue State. Timeliness of reporting remains 88% in previous & current weeks (week 13 & 14, 2018) while completeness remains from 100% at the same period. It is very important for all States to ensure timely and complete reporting at all times, especially during an outbreak.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control through its National Incident Coordination Centre (ICC) will continue to provide support to States in responding to outbreaks through supporting the establishment of State PHEOCs. More information on ongoing outbreaks and activation of PHEOC can be accessed on: www.ncdc.gov.ng