The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public alert regarding the potential risk of a Marburg virus outbreak in Nigeria.
Although no cases of the deadly virus have been reported within the country, NCDC Director General(DG), Jide Idris, disclosed that the agency is closely monitoring the situation in Rwanda, where as of October 15, 2024, 62 cases and 15 fatalities have been confirmed.
Idris, while giving an update on the ongoing response to infectious disease outbreaks and other events of public health importance in Nigeria and globally in Abuja on Thursday, also revealed that as of October 13, 2024, Nigeria has recorded 378 deaths from 14,237 cases of cholera across 35 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said.
With the outbreak affecting 339 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with children under five being the most vulnerable, the country’s case-fatality ratio remains at 2.7 percent, he said.
Also, within the same period, he stated that Nigeria has reported 102 confirmed cases across 26 states and the FCT, from 1,339 suspected cases, adding that while no deaths have been recorded, the steady rise in cases highlights the need for continued vigilance, said.
According to him, since the beginning of 2024, Nigeria has also recorded 1,018 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 172 deaths, with the majority of cases reported from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states.
While the peak of the Lassa fever outbreak was declared over in April, sporadic cases continue to be reported, with 37 new cases and four deaths recorded in the past month alone, he said.
Furthermore, on Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), the DG said it is a seasonal threat that peaks between January and April, noting that while projections for the upcoming CSM season suggest a moderate number of cases, the NCDC is not taking any chances.
He, however, assured the public that the Agency has been proactive in its emergency preparedness and response while offering technical and material support wherever a disease outbreak is recorded.
On the Marburg virus, he said the NCDC can not afford to take chances with the infectious disease, saying, “The virus, which is highly infectious and similar to Ebola viral disease, following our expert risk assessment conducted, adjudged there is a potential for localized transmission particularly in among populations with high presence of bats and where bats are being used as delicacies if the virus is imported into Nigeria, due to the volume of travel between the two countries.
“While there is no specific treatment or vaccine for Marburg, the NCDC is prepared to respond.
“Working with our stakeholders across ministries departments and agencies of government, we have activated health declaration forms for incoming passengers, especially from affected regions and are ready to isolate suspected cases immediately upon detection.
“Additionally, we have identified isolation centers and commenced the process of stockpiling the necessary medical supplies to handle potential cases.
He, however, urged the public to be conscious of their hygiene and how they interact with foreigners, saying, “We urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant, particularly those travelling to regions with reported Marburg cases.
“Avoid contact with wild animals, especially fruit bats, and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, or unexplained bleeding occur.
“The preventive measures adopted during the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, such as regular proper hand washing with soap and water under running water or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer is applicable for the prevention of Marburg viral disease”
On cholera, he said Nigeria has witnessed two significant waves of cholera, with the most recent surge, reported during the week of September 29 (Epi Week 39) being attributed to the heavy rains, adding that the number of suspected cholera cases and deaths in 2024 has more than doubled when compared to this time last year.
He said the high number of cholera cases reflected the severity of the outbreak and reinforced the need for continuous vigilance and action.
According to him, the recent floods in the northern states such as Borno, Adamawa, Jigawa, Yobe, and Kano have exacerbated the spread of cholera, making these states the current epicentres of the outbreak.
Speaking on the changing pattern of cholera disease spread, the DG said, “Earlier in the year, the cholera cases were concentrated in southern states but as the rains began, we have seen a shift, with northern states now accounting for a significant portion of cases”.
Idris, however, said the agency has deployed rapid response teams to the affected areas, coordinating with local authorities and providing critical supplies like medicines and water purification tablets.
In collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the DG said the NCDC has also supported reactive cholera vaccinations in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, which has helped reduce cases.
The NCDC urges Nigerians to maintain good hygiene, including regular hand washing and seeking immediate medical attention if cholera symptoms arise.
With continued efforts to improve surveillance and strengthen water sanitation, the country aims to control and ultimately eliminate cholera as a public health threat.
On Mpox, he said the agency has deployed a response mechanism focusing on stakeholder engagement, surveillance and diagnostic capacity, community engagement, and vaccination campaign, to address the situation
On Lassa fever, he said to mitigate the risk, NCDC is strengthening its preparedness for the upcoming Lassa fever season. “We have reviewed our response to the previous outbreak, identifying lessons learned to enhance future interventions.
“Findings have identified kidney failure as a major cause of death from Lassa fever. In addressing this, training of healthcare workers at both the state and local levels is ongoing to ensure rapid case detection, accurate reporting, and effective management.
“We have procured and installed 12 dialysis machines across our treatment centres. Additionally, we are stockpiling essential medical supplies—such as personal protective equipment, medicines, and diagnostic tools—in high-risk states to ensure a swift response should an outbreak occur,” he said.
The DG also explained while projections for the upcoming CSM season suggest a moderate number of cases, the NCDC is not taking any chances, saying, “Over 400 healthcare workers across nine states have been trained in case management and cerebrospinal fluid collection, which is essential for accurate laboratory diagnosis and effective treatment.
“Additionally, we are conducting operational research in collaboration with our partners and convening stakeholders for after-action reviews to ensure that our response strategies are both evidence-based and cost-effective”.
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