Attachments
EXPERTS MEET TO DELIBRATE ON CASE MANAGEMENT OF LASSA FEVER
In the 16th week of the outbreak, only one new confirmed case was reported, which is the lowest weekly case count since the onset of the outbreak. No deaths were recorded.
During the outbreak, there has been a growing need to review the national case management protocol for Lassa. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) hosted the National Lassa fever Case Management meeting between 26th and 27th April 2018.
The meeting brought together experts, physicians and nurses involved in managing Lassa fever cases, logisticians at treatment centres and partners with the purpose of harmonising efforts towards improved practices for Lassa fever case management. The objectives of the meeting were:
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To identify different case management approaches and build consensus on standardization of treatment guidelines for Lassa Fever
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To prioritise infection prevention and control (IPC) measures for Lassa fever among HCWs in all treatment centres
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To build collaborations for future Lassa fever research
The two-day meeting had discussions in which some consensus was reached across treatment duration, revising the standard case definition for Lassa fever, defining other laboratory investigations for patient management and post-exposure prophylaxis for contacts of confirmed cases. The meeting also provided an opportunity for infection prevention and control measures and safe management of corpses in the treatment facilities to be discussed, with all participants understanding their roles and responsibilities in these areas.
The need to build a research culture amongst participants was highlighted and a plenary session was held during the meeting. This session provided the opportunity for local researchers to intimate the participants about ongoing research, areas of focus for the country and collaboration opportunities for research. The next steps following the meeting included a review of the current guidelines based on consensus reached, dissemination and adoption of the guidelines, commence use of the guidelines and strengthen the drive for research.
In the coming months, NCDC has been tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that there are standard national guidelines available and disseminated widely. In the face of this, more research is required as questions arise daily on clinical management of cases and the need to encourage best practices. It is hoped that this meeting will provide the footstool for further studies to be carried out in the area of Lassa fever.
SUMMARY OF REPORTS
In the reporting week ending on April 15, 2018:
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There were 237 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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615 suspected cases of Cholera were reported from ten LGAs in eight States (Abia – 1, Bauchi – 462, Borno – 17, Ekiti – 5, Kaduna – 2, Kano – 27, Yobe – 98 & Zamfara – 3). Of these, 16 were laboratory confirmed and three deaths were recorded.
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21 suspected cases of Lassa fever were reported from 15 LGAs in nine States (Abia - 3, Anambra – 1, Ekiti – 2, FCT – 3, Gombe – 4, Katsina – 1, Kogi – 1, Plateau – 3 & River – 3). One was laboratory confirmed and three deaths were recorded.
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There were 365 suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from 72 LGAs in 13 States (Adamawa – 2, Bauchi – 13, Borno – 3, Enugu – 1, Gombe – 1, Jigawa – 54, Kaduna – 18, Kano – 11, Katsina - 159, Kebbi – 4, Sokoto – 58, Taraba – 1, Yobe - 4 & Zamfara - 37). Of these, seven were laboratory confirmed and 23 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 on 4th December 2017
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There were 723 suspected cases of Measles reported from 37 States. No were laboratory confirmed and 19 deaths were recorded.
In the reporting week, all States sent in their report. This is a remarkable improvement! Timeliness of reporting increases from 88% in the previous week (week 14) to 89% in the current week (week 15, 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.