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  • Cholera kills 84, infects 2,860 in 25 States, says NCDC

    Cholera kills 84, infects 2,860 in 25 States, says NCDC

    Cholera has killed 84 people with 2,860 others infected between January to August 27 from 25 states across 124 Local Government Areas (LGAs), according to the epidemiological report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

    The affected States are: Zamfara, Cross River, Katsina, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Niger, Abia, Jigawa, Kano, Ondo, Borno, Kaduna, Bauchi, Sokoto, Plateau, Gombe, Oyo, Adamawa, Kebbi, Benue, Rivers, Ekiti, Imo, Osun, and Anambra.

    The agency urged Nigerians to practice personal and environmental hygiene, chlorinate their water, and desist from open defecation. It also urged the government and other critical stakeholders to ensure the provision of safe water, and construct sanitation and hygiene facilities with boreholes in cholera hotspots.

    The report obtained by The Nation showed that while the Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) of the disease is currently at 2.9 per cent, age groups less than 5 years are mostly affected, followed by the age groups 5 to 14 years in aggregate of both males and females. Also, of all suspected cases, 51 per cent are males and 49 per cent are females.

    Read Also: New COVID-19 variant: NCDC warns Nigerians, says it’s monitoring trends

    The NCDC, however, revealed that comparatively, suspected cases of cholera in the current year have decreased by 63 per cent compared to what was reported as at Epi-week 34 in 2022. Likewise, cumulative deaths recorded have decreased by 67 per cent in 2023.

    It said: “As of 27th August 2023, a total of 2,860 suspected cases including 84 deaths (CFR 2.9 per cent) have been reported from 25 states. Zamfara (787 cases) accounts for 28 per cent of all suspected cases in the country of the 25 States that have reported cases of cholera. Obubra LGA (515 cases) in Cross River State accounts for 18 per cent of all suspected cases reported in the country.

    “Of the affected States, Cross River (718 cases), Katsina (302 cases), Bayelsa (265 cases), Ebonyi (227 cases), Niger (136 cases) and Abia (118 cases) account for 62 per cent of the suspected cases this year.”

  • Meningitis currently in 15 states, says NCDC

    Fifteen states are currently affected by meningitis, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said.

    Also, the disease affects 2.8 million people globally each year.

    NCDC said the disease remains a major public health challenge affecting many African countries.

    To mark this year’s World Meningitis Day, NCDC urged all stakeholders – policy makers, leaders, communities and individuals – to raise awareness about the disease.

    Globally, World Meningitis Day is observed on April 24 to raise awareness about the dreadful but preventable disease. This year’s theme is: Life After Meningitis.

    Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes, called meninges, which protect the brain and spinal cord from infection and direct physical injury.

    The infection of the meninges by microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, results in meningitis, a serious infection that can lead to death, if left untreated.

    This year, the NCDC said it will increase awareness on the signs, symptoms and the devastating after-effects that it can have the extreme importance of early diagnosis and treatment and the crucial need to support meningitis survivors and their families.

    “We all have a collective responsibility to address this public health challenge. As the agency with the mandate to protect the health of Nigerians, NCDC works closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), other relevant agencies and partners to sensitise Nigerians on the disease and coordinate response nationally in the event of an outbreak,” NCDC’s Director-General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said.

  • NCDC registers 83 death, 381 confirmed Lassa fever cases in 2019

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ) has registered 83 deaths, 381 confirmed cases and 1,279 suspected cases of Lassa fever in 2019.

    Dr Kola Jinadu, Senior Technical Adviser to the NCDC Chief Executive Officer, disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Tuesday.

    He was speaking at a health journalism masterclass organised by NIGERIA HEALTHWATCH, a non-governmental organisation.

    The senior technical adviser said the centre also has 12 probable cases, adding that the cases cut across 21 states of the country.

    “We so far have 21 states with active Lassa fever cases with fatality ratio of 21.8 per cent.

    Read Also: 50 years after, Lassa fever remains unstoppable

    “In the efforts to treat the infected persons and check the spread of the disease, 15 healthcare workers were infected with the disease during the period under review,’’ he said.

    He said, however, that there was decline in the number of reported cases in the recent weeks.

    Jinadu said that a national multi-partner, multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) led by NCDC continue to coordinate the response activities.

    He added that state EOCs have been activated in Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi and Plateau states.

    The national rapid response team comprising the NCDC, the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Environment were working in some of the affected states like Oyo, Edo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Plateau and Taraba.

    “Case guidelines are regularly reviewed and disseminated to stakeholders,’’ he added.

  • Lassa fever: 42 confirmed dead, 538 cases reported in 16 states

    *213 test positive

     

    Forty–two lives have been claimed across the country by a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    A total of 538 cases were reported in 16 states in the first 27 days of the year, the NCDC said in an update on Friday.

    However, only 213 of the reported cases tested positive, two were classified as probable and 325 negative.

    The NCDC put the fatality rate at 19.7%.

    The breakdown of the cases state by state reveals that 77 new confirmed cases were reported from Edo(24), Ondo(28), Ebonyi(5), Bauchi(3), Plateau(5), Taraba(3), Gombe(1), Kaduna(1), Kwara(1), FCT(1), Benue(2), Rivers(1) Kogi(1) and Enugu(1).

    States with new deaths are Edo(4), Ondo(2), Benue(1), Rivers(1) Plateau(2) Taraba(1) and Bauchi(1).

    Sixteen States (Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa and Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers Kogi and Enugu) have recorded at least one confirmed case across 40 Local Government Areas.

    In the report, one new healthcare worker was affected in Enugu State- contact of an Adamawa confirmed case.

    A total four health care workers have been affected since the onset of the outbreak in two States – Ondo (2), Ebonyi (1) and Enugu(1) with no death.

    One hundred and two patients are currently being managed at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) treatment Centre in Edo State (34) ; Federal Medical Centre, Owo,Ondo State (40); Bauchi (5); Plateau(8); Taraba(3); Ebonyi(6); and others(6) States.

    Read Also: Lassa fever: eight persons killed, 40 cases recorded in Plateau

    NCDC also said a total of 2070 contacts have been identified in eight states.

    Of these 1673(80.8%) are currently being followed up, 361(17.4%) have completed 21 days follow up. 23(1.1%) symptomatic contacts have been identified, of which 13 (0.6%) have tested positive from three states (Edo -2, Ebonyi-5 and Plateau-6 ).

    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday said it was mobilizing experts to intervene with a view to containing the disease.

    The experts according to the statement signed by Charity Warigon will assist in investigations, contact-tracing, risk communication.

    Besides, the world body is also planning to strengthen efforts to further assist Nigeria in controlling the Lassa fever outbreak.

  • Lassa Fever: don’t panic over rising cases – NCDC

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ) says Nigerians need not panic over the rising cases of Lassa fever because it has initiated measures in response to the disease in the country.

    The advice was expressed in a statement on Wednesday by the Chief Executive Officer, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu in Abuja.

    Ihekweazu said that in preparation for this year’s emergency phase, NCDC had been providing support to states, including emergency supplies and deployment of Rapid Response Teams (RRT).

    He said that the RRTs would work with states in response coordination, contact tracing, case management, risk communication and strengthening infection prevention and control practices.

    “Recent epidemiological data shows that Lassa fever usually occurs during the dry season, between January and April.’’

    According to him, as at Jan. 13, about 60 confirmed cases were reported in eight states.

    ”Given this increase in reported cases of Lassa fever, the NCDC has declared this an outbreak and activated an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response,” he said.

    He said that given the increase in reported cases, the NCDC declared it as an outbreak and activated an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response.

    Ihekweazu, therefore, advised members of the public to focus on prevention by practising good personal hygiene and proper environmental sanitation.

    ”Take effective measures by storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households, and other measures to discourage rodents from entering homes.

    ”Hand washing should be practised frequently. The public is also advised to avoid bush burning.

    ”Health care workers are again reminded that Lassa fever presents initially like any other disease-causing febrile illness such as malaria.

    ”Healthcare providers are advised to practise standard precautions at all times, and to maintain a high index of suspicion.”

    Ihekweazu advised that Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) must be applied to all suspected cases of malaria.

    Read Also: Lassa Fever: Edo warns against self-medication

    ”When the RDT is negative, other causes of febrile illness including Lassa fever should be considered. Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment increases the chances of survival.

    ”The national guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control, as well as Lassa fever case management have been developed, disseminated to states and are available on the NCDC website for download,’’ he said.

    Ihekweazu reinstated Federal Government’s commitment to supporting all States’ public health teams to prevent and respond to public health threats.

  • How to avoid cerebrospinal meningitis, by NCDC

    With prevalent  high temperatures  and low humidity in the dry season, the likelihood of transmitting organisms causing cerebrospinal meningitis appears higher now than at any time in Nigeria. This has forced the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to issue a public health advisory on cerebrospinal meningitis, which it called five important tips to prevent the spread of the disease.

    According to Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, director general, NCDC, the public health advisory is necessary against the backdrop of an increase in the reporting of suspected cases of CSM in Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kano, Bayelsa and Ondo with confirmed cases of Neisseria Meningitis Type C (Nmc) reported in Zamfara and Jigawa states over the last one month.

    “The NCDC and partners have  commenced preparedness activities, through the national CSM Technical Working Group (TWG). The TWG has completed a risk assessment exercise for prioritisation, and issued letters of alert to states to ensure adequate preparedness this season. NCDC is issuing this public health advisory note to members of the public to be aware of the risk and take appropriate precautions,” Dr. Ihekweazu said in a signed statement.

    Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) is an acute inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord. It is a very serious infection that can lead to death if left untreated. CSM remains a major public health challenge, affecting countries in the African meningitis belt, including 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria.

    Large outbreaks of CSM usually occur during the dry season, particularly from November through May. The disease is contagious and can be transmitted through tiny droplets of respiratory secretions from an infected person, during close contact such as coughing or sneezing. The disease is more common among persons aged less than 15 years and deaths are higher among untreated cases.

    Signs and symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, difficulty concentrating, and convulsions. The major risk factors for infection include overcrowding and poor ventilation. During outbreaks, reactive vaccination campaigns can be used to prevent the spread of the disease.

    To prevent the spread of CSM, NCDC has advised members of the public to embrace the following five important tips: avoid overcrowding and ensure adequate ventilation in the home; cover nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or by blowing into the elbow when sneezing or coughing; wash hands frequently especially after coughing or sneezing; visit a health facility if there is sudden high fever or neck stiffness for diagnosis and treatment. Lastly, all health workers are advised to practise universal care precautions at all times by wearing gloves while handling patients or providing care to an ill relative.

    For the safety of all, the NCDC warned that early presentation to a health facility and treatment increases chances of survival.”It is very important to report to the nearest health facility immediately, if you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above. If you notice any member(s) of your family or neighbourhood with any of the listed signs or symptoms, kindly encourage them to report to the nearest health facility. Early presentation to a health facility and treatment increases chances of survival.”

     

  • NCDC partners Edo to contain yellow fever outbreak

    •Plans are on to begin vaccination campaign

    Following a report of an outbreak of yellow fever outbreak in four local government areas in Edo State, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with Edo State Epidemiology, has said the state public health has commenced investigations to contain the situation.

    In a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, on the 21st of November, about nine cases tested positive for yellow fever and it awaits confirmatory result from the WHO Regional Reference Laboratory.

    His words “The Edo State Epidemiology Team is working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and World Health Organisation (WHO) to carry out a detailed investigation and response to the already confirmed cases”, he said.

    According to Ihekweazu, NCDC has deployed a rapid response team to support the state with contact tracing, risk communications and management of cases, adding that plans are to begin a vaccination campaign in the state in response to the cluster of cases.

    In addition to the vaccine, Dr. Ihekweazu enjoined the public to keep their environments clean and free of stagnant water to discourage the breeding of mosquitoes and use insecticide treated mosquito nets, screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquito bites.

    “This week, our sister agency NPHCDA flagged off a large yellow fever vaccination campaign, targeting 26 million children and adults (aged 9 months to 44 years) in six states: Niger, Plateau, Borno, Sokoto, Kebbi and the FCT. One dose of the yellow fever vaccine provides for life-long protection against the disease. We urge all Nigerians to get vaccinated and encourage their families, and neighbours to do the same.

    The NCDC reassures all Nigerians that we will continue to work with States and partners nationwide to ensure that the outbreak is curtailed.

     

  • President assents to Bill establishing NCDC

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    The Presidency said since its establishment in 2011, NCDC has demonstrated its capacity to protect the health of Nigerians by delivering on its core functions of preparedness, detection and response to outbreaks of infectious diseases.

    This new Act, which establishes NCDC as a full-fledged parastatal, will also ensure that its valuable work is sustained and supported.

    The agency’s Chief Executive, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said: “We are very grateful for Mr. President’s support in the passage of the Executive Bill. This Bill will provide Nigerians with an institute that has the capacity to ensure the country’s health security. We are also grateful to the Minister and Minister of State for Health for their support and the Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases led by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.”

    With the passage of the Bill establishing Nigeria’s national public health institute, the Federal Government has shown its commitment in ensuring Nigerians are well protected from the public health threat of global emerging infectious diseases.

     

  • NCDC calls for establishment of public health laboratories in States

    The National Center for Disease Control ( NCDC ), on Thursday urged state governments in the country to establish Public Health Laboratory with tertiary or secondary health care services, ostensibly to facilitate rapid response to disease control in case of any outbreak.

    The Chief Executive Officer and National Coordinator NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu made the call in Kano at the 3rd Annual Disease Surveillance Review Meeting holding in Kano.with it’s theme:TRANSFORMING PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE & RESPONSE: Priorities & lnnovations

    Dr Ihekweazu said the creation of such laboratories will be supported by National Center For Disease Control so as to speed up investigation of diseases outbreak, as well as improve the health conditions of the people.

    According to him, the review meeting is aimed at sharing experience from states and exchanging ideas on the treatment and control on how states can be able to control cases of Lassa fever , Ebola, Yellow fever , monkey pox and CSM.

    “Honestly I would like to appreciate the efforts of the Kano state government in its committment to healthcare delivery in which I want other states to emulate. Kano state has being able to established its Emergency Operations Center in the needed place,” he said.

    In a remark, the Emir of Kano , Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II represented by the District Head of Ajingi Alhaji Wada Aliyu Gaya said the importance the Emirate Council attaches to accessing healthcare services led to the establishment of Kano Emirate Council on Health which focuses on routine immunization , eradication of Child and maternal mortality

    Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar said the state government is demonstrating commitment to healthcare services with many health programmes being undertaken as well as the creation of Kano Health Trust Fund

    Kano state Commissioner for Health , Dr. Kabir Ibrahim Getso while appreciating the hosting right of the 3rd review meeting accorded Kano after Ibadan in Oyo state and that of Enugu for the 1st and 2nd review meetings will assist the state health care in tapping experience from other states in attending to health challenges .

    The meeting is to disseminate, review and take responsibility for implementation of the recommendation of from the 2017 Joint External Evaluation of International Health Regulation.

  • Edo records 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever

    Edo records 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever

    Dr Osamuwonyi Irowa, the Director of Disease Control, Edo, says the state has recorded 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever this month.

    Irowa disclosed this at the inauguration of the Emergency Operation Centre on Lassa fever in Benin on Wednesday.

    He said 124 cases have been confirmed out of the 521 suspected cases recorded in 13 local government areas of the state.

    The director also said 15 deaths were recorded with 509 cases under surveillance, while 10 suspected cases had developed symptoms.

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    Inaugurating the centre, the Deputy Gov. of the state, Mr Phillip Shaibu, said that the Lassa fever response mechanism was aimed at ensuring a coordinated control of the epidemic.

    He charged the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to encourage volunteers to support their staff for effective control of the disease.

    He assured that the state government was working towards building isolation centres to decongest the patient population at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

    NAN