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Tag: Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)

  • NCDC confirms 16 new cases of Lassa Fever in five states

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), says it has confirmed 16 new cases of Lassa fever from five states in Nigeria.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, disclosed this in Abuja on Saturday ,while given an update about the disease and effort by the centre.

    He said that the 16 new cases have now brought the number of confirmed cases to 526 out of the 2,034 suspected cases since Jan. 1 in 21 states.

    He also said that a total of 121 deaths had been recorded since the onset of the outbreak.

    Ihekweazu said Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, w Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, Oyo, Kebbi and Cross River states have each recorded at least one confirmed case.

    He also confirmed that one health care worker was affected in Plateau state, bringing it to a total of 17 healthcare workers in seven states since the outbreak of the disease.

    The NCDC boss also said that 29 patients have been hospitalized at the designated centres.

    He said that 10 were hospitalized in Irrua, 9 in Owo, three in Abakiliki, two in Bauchi, three in Plateau, two in Taraba.

    Ihekweazu said a total of 6,489 people suspected to have contacts with those infected had been identified across 20 states.

    Read Also: Lassa fever claims 15 lives in Ondo

    He said that 1,443 of the suspected contacts were being followed up, while 4,983 had completed the mandatory 21 days of follow up to and have been declared  symptom free.

    He also said that 112 symptomatic contacts have been identified, of which 55 tested positive.

    The NCDC boss assured that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre will continue to coordinate the response activities at all levels.

    NAN

  • Lassa fever national mortality rate drops in 2019

    Prof. Sylvanus Okogbenin, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Edo, says Lassa fever mortality rate has reduced tremendously in the country.

    Okogbenin told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Irrua, Edo, that the mortality rate had dropped to a single digit from the 14 per cent it was in 2018.

    He said that the result was achieved in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners.

    “You will understand that ISTH is renowned for the management, diagnosis and control of Lassa fever through the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, which came into existence in 2007.

    “Over the years, we have had this annual epidemic of Lassa fever but over the years, it has become better and better.

    “This is demonstrated in the mortality rate of the disease on annual basis because there was a time the mortality was over 40 per cent, then it fall to 20 per cent.

    “Last year we had mortality rate of 14 per cent; 14 per cent is the lowest mortality that has ever been recorded in any epidemic of Lassa fever.’’

    He added that: “One of the targets that were set for this year is to get single digit mortality.

    “So far, the epidemic of 2019 is not over and we have been able to achieve that for this long, thereby making the mortality for Lassa fever below 10 per cent.

    “I think it is a feat we are happy to speak about; that is why I said that there will always be challenges but it is much better than it used to be.’’

    According to him, creation of public awareness contributed immensely to the low mortality rate so far recorded in 2019.

    “There is more awareness now compared to 10 years ago.

    “And you see, patients come in earlier than they used to because when a patient comes early, the chances of survival is very high; that has happened a lot this year.

    “Part of the preparations for the epidemic is that we have stocks of supply and this year was particularly very good because NCDC was able to supply us with Ribavrin and supplies of Personal Protective Equipment.

    “In fact, when there was manpower shortage, they were able to bring in some staff to help us with the response. And that is why the mortality significantly reduced.

    Read Also: Meningitis kills 33 in Niger State

     

    “Again, we now have Intensive Care Unit for Lassa fever patients,’’ Okogbenin said.

    Mrs Kehinde Oboro, the state Disease Surveillance Officer, also told NAN that the state was currently training Disease Surveillance Officers (DSOs) in the 18 Local Government Areas on safety measures as concerns nosocomial (hospital acquired infection) infections.

    Kehinde said the training became necessary after seven health workers became infected with Lassa fever in the state.

    “One of the infected health workers eventually died of the disease but the other six survived.

    “So, this training also involved all caregivers, clinicians and morticians on how to save themselves and other corpses in the mortuary from contacting Lassa fever.

    “Focal persons among whom are teachers, farmers and chemists are also being trained on the 41 diseases of public health importance,’’ Oboro said.

    She, however, pleaded with the Federal and State Governments to assist the Edo State Public Health Emergency Operation Centre with surveillance vehicles to enable them effectively monitor the 18 LGAs of the state.

  • Lassa Fever kills three in Ebonyi

    The Virology center at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA) built by Ebonyi state government has successfully treated and discharged 14 Lassa fever patients brought to the centre this year.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Daniel Umezuruike disclosed this during public health advisory  workshop organized by the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital.

    He noted that the disease is currently active in Ebonyi state with a total of 19 confirmed  cases with three deaths among the cases admitted at the centre.

    According to him, the disease ravaged eight out of the 13  local government areas of the state which include; Abakaliki, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ohaozara, Ebonyi, Izz, Afikpo North and Ikwo LGAs.

    Read Also: Two arrested planting explosives on Ebonyi bridge

    Mr Umezuruike identified symptoms of the virus to include, high grade fever, body pains, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain(sub sternal), unconsciousness, among others.

    “Recent genomic sequencing of the Lassa Fever virus in Nigeria shows rodent to human transmission is still main source of infection, therefore environmental sanitation especially rodent control is critical to curtail the spread.

    “Since the current outbreak, the state has intensified its response through enhanced surveillance, contact tracing and active case in all LGAs by the epidemiology team.

    “Risk communication and sensitization have also been ongoing in all LGAs to increase awareness and promote positive behavioural practices to prevent further spread of the disease.

    The Commissioner said that a response team from the NCDC and another team from Medicines San Frontiers are currently working with the state team to strengthen the response”, he said. ENDS

  • Lassa fever: WHO, NCDC synergise with Edo govt to end scourge

    Lassa fever: WHO, NCDC synergise with Edo govt to end scourge

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have commencedwork with the Edo State Government to bring to an end the Lassa Fever outbreak in the country.

    They commended the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for the state government’s purposeful and strategic response to the current Lassa fever outbreak in the country.

    Coordinator, Lassa Fever Outbreak Response Team in Nigeria, Dr. Emmanuel Musa, relayed the commendations when he led the surveillance team from the WHO and NCDC on a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State and said that his team will be stationed in the state to tackle the disease.

    In his remarks, Governor Obaseki expressed appreciation to the WHO and NCDC teams for supporting the state’s effort to contain and control the spread of Lassa Fever disease in the state.

    He said the outbreak threatens the wellbeing of people in the state, a situation he will not tolerate, noting, “My administration takes public health and wellbeing of people in the state seriously. This accounts for the speedy response of the government in mobilising resources to control the spread of the disease.”

    According to Obaseki, “With the team of experts deployed to the state by WHO, we should be able to get things right. There is need for us to be proactive and not always wait for the outbreak before responding.”

    Musa said, “The prompt response of the state government led by Governor Obaseki in containing the outbreak of Lassa fever disease in the state is highly commendable. The approach adopted to halt the spread of the disease was strategic. We commend the state government for the facility set up to assist the Institute for Lassa Fever Control and Research at the Specialist Hospital, Irrua. This includes the Isolation Center and Emergency Operation Center.

    He added, “The team of experts from the WHO and NCDC were the first six experts deployed to Edo State to complement the state government’s effort in controlling the spread of the disease. The team will work alongside the state government’s response team to halt the spread of the disease. This team is also ready to work with the team put in place by the government to curtail the spread as they have been in the state for about four weeks now.

    “Other partners will be mobilise to Edo State to assist the state government contain the spread of Lassa fever disease. The WHO is concerned and decided to mobilise experts to Nigeria to help out.”

    Read Also:Edo marshal plans to combat Lassa fever

  • Lassa fever: Obaseki releases N100m for Dialysis Machines, others

    Lassa fever: Obaseki releases N100m for Dialysis Machines, others

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has ordered the immediate release of N100 million as first tranche payment for the procurement of four dialysis machines, ventilators, Personal Protective Equipment, drugs and other consumables required for the treatment of Lassa Fever patients.

    Obaseki’s order followed report of the rising number of Lassa Fever patients brought from across the country to the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Edo State, the only specialist facility for the treatment of the disease in Nigeria and the West Africa sub-region.

    The governor directed his commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo to deliver the equipment within twenty four hours and make them available for use at the hospital, while tasking the Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie and the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, to intensify Lassa Fever awareness campaign in all nook and cranny of the state.

    Earlier in the week, the Edo State Government as part of its proactive measures to curtail the spread of the disease in the state reactivated its Rapid Response Team and commenced contact tracing for confirmed cases of the disease.

    The state government is also working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for case management and disease surveillance.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr. David Osifo, said that the state government prevention and control of Lassa Fever is multi-sectoral involving the Ministries of Health, Environment, Agriculture, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Information, who are working together to put measures in place that will stop the further spread of the current outbreak.”

    Edo State and some other parts of the country are currently experiencing the outbreak of Lassa Fever with significant proportion of the Local Government Areas in Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts of the state already involved in the outbreak while the others are at risk of being affected.

  • Lassa fever: Enugu trains health workers on use of kits

    Lassa fever: Enugu trains health workers on use of kits

    The Enugu State Ministry of Health trained over 100 health workers on  proper use of Lassa fever kits as part of the state’s preventive measures.

    A total of 15 cases of the disease had been confirmed by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ) through Federal Government laboratory in Benin: Edo, while the disease claimed four lives.

    The four deaths, which included health workers, were recorded in Ebonyi (3) and Kogi (1).

    Declaring the training open on Thursday at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital ( ESUTH ), the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Finta Ekochin, said it was to teach health workers on ideal way to use Lassa fever kits.

    Ekochin said the state government bought some of the kits, while some donor agencies also donated some to the state.

    He noted that having pre-requisite knowledge and what to watch out for about the disease were highly necessary for the state and its health workers.

    The commissioner stressed the need for the state government to take proactive measures to stem the spread of the disease, noting that “apart from display and learning how to put on the Lassa fever kits, health practitioners would undertake refresher course on case definition and symptoms.

    “Also, the ideal process of contact tracing for people that come into contact with any person confirmed to have the disease.

    “The method of information gathering on health and channel of reporting a suspected case to superior health authorities within the state with dispatch.”

    In a lecture entitled; “Epidemiology of Lassa fever’’, Dr Mariam Ajuba of Community Medicine Department, ESUTH, enumerated the various means of contacting the disease and its causes.

    Ajuba advised that morticians must be cautious on how they handle corpses, especially those of suspected Lassa fever victims.

    She said “don’t take anything for granted; always wear your health gears and if you sense or feel that a corpse cannot be easily defined, make sure you put on your kits immediately.

    “Since health workers are the first major contact; always read and re-read your symptoms and case definition manual if possible daily so that nothing takes you unaware.

    “Then, report promptly to the hospital boss, who would report to Disease Surveillance Department of Ministry of Health.

    A participant, Dr Chinemerem Onwuliri, Senior Registrar, Department of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital ( UNTH ), Ituku/Ozalla, said the workshop was educative.

    Onwuliri said health workers had learnt and practiced the triaging, screening, isolation and notification process for Lassa fever.

    NAN

  • NCDC urges FG to combat resistance of diseases to antibiotics

    NCDC urges FG to combat resistance of diseases to antibiotics

    Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Chief Executive, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ), says the spread of resistance to antibiotics in several microorganisms is complicating management of many infectious diseases.

    Addressing newsmen on the ‘2017 Antibiotics Awareness Week’ on Wednesday in Abuja, Ihekweazu said that the situation was adversely affecting the functioning of human and animal health systems.

    “The consequences of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) are serious as resistant microbes fail to respond to standard treatment.

    “This is resulting in prolonged illness, infectiousness, increased spread of disease, extended hospital stays and greater risk of death.

    “Developing countries, in the face of limited resources and their greater disease burden, will suffer more than the developed ones,’’ Ihekweazu said.

    According to him, AMR is decreasing the usefulness of modern medical technologies and jeopardises both common and complex surgical procedures.

    In addition to this jeopardy, AMR is also endangering animal health and welfare as well as food production, Ihekweazu said.

    He said that it was projected that 10 million people will die annually from AMR by 2050 if current trends are unabated.

    He noted that the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance was on the increase with little or no support for research into the production of new medicines.

    “We need to sustain our response at reducing the burden of AMR and its associated implications.

    “Nigerians should play key roles as we take up the message and awareness creation on the rational and judicious use of antibiotics in the country,’’ he said.

    Ihekweazu said antibiotics have saved millions of lives and reduced disease burden, adding that modern human and veterinary medicine was built on access to effective antimicrobials.

    According to him, antibiotics have improved quality of life, contributed to improved food production and helped increase life expectancy.

    Omotayo Hamzat, WHO expert on Essential Drugs and Medicine, said that the world body recognised that antibiotics resistance was becoming a global challenge that needed to be addressed.

    Hamzat said that without tackling anti-drugs resistance, it might be difficult to meet the Sustainable Development Goals in the health sector.

    The awareness week is celebrated annually between Nov. 13 and Nov. 19.

    Hamzat noted that the celebration was aimed at making antibiotic resistance a globally recognised health issue.

    It is also aimed at increasing and recognising the roles that individuals, health and agriculture professionals as well as governments must play in tackling antibiotic resistance.

    NAN

  • FG to contain further spread of yellow fever – NCDC

    FG to contain further spread of yellow fever – NCDC

    The Federal Government on Tuesday expressed its readiness to contain further spread of yellow fever in the country.

    The Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said this in a statement he issued in Abuja.

    He also said that the government would also limit the impact of the killer ailment.

    Ihekweazu said that following the case of yellow fever in Kwara state, laboratory diagnosis was carried out at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and confirmed at the Institute Pasteur, Dakar, Senegal.

    He said that a multi-agency Incident Management System has been constituted at the NCDC to ensure a rapid and coordinated response.

    ”In response to the case, and in line with WHO guidelines, a vaccination campaign is being planned to begin in the affected and surrounding Local Government Areas on 30th September to prevent further spread.

    ”Communication activities are being intensified to enlighten health care workers and the general public,’’ he said.

    The CEO also said that an Emergency Operations Centre is being activated in the state to ensure a coordinated and efficient response at the state level.

    The NCDC boss described yellow fever as an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes.

    He listed the symptoms to include fever, headache, jaundice (yellowness of the eyes), muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

    According to him, some infected people may not experience any of these symptoms, while in some the symptoms might be mild.

    He added that in severe cases, jaundice and bleeding may occur from the mouth, nose, eyes or stomach.

    Ihekweazu said that vaccination against the disease remained the most important measure in preventing Yellow Fever.

    He said the Yellow Fever vaccine had been part of the childhood immunisation schedule in Nigeria.

    ”Other methods of prevention include using insect repellents, sleeping under a long-lasting insecticide treated nets, living in net screened accommodation, ensuring proper sanitation and getting rid of stagnant water or breeding places for mosquitoes.

    ”Although there is no specific medicine to treat the disease, intensive supportive care can be provided, most patients would recover with appropriate care when they present early enough,” he said.

    He, therefore, advised health care workers to practice standard precautions while handling patients or body fluids at all times and to be familiar with the case definition and maintain a high index of suspicion.

    Ihekweazu advised Nigerians to remain calm, avoid self-medication and report to the nearest health facility if feeling unwell or if they notice any of the above symptoms in anyone around.

  • ‘Lassa fever outbreak affected 19 states’

    ‘Lassa fever outbreak affected 19 states’

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ) on Thursday confirmed, at least one reported Lassa fever case, in each of 19 states in the current outbreak which started in December 2016.

    The development was published in a report on NCDC’s website.

    The 19 states are Ogun, Bauchi, Plateau, Ebonyi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kaduna, Gombe, Cross River, Borno, Kano, Kogi, Enugu, Anambra, Kwara and Lagos.

    The report said the outbreak was active in Ondo, Edo, Plateau, Bauchi, Ogun, Kaduna, Kwara and Lagos states.

    The report said that since the onset of the outbreak in December 2016, a total of 263 cases had been classified, 249 confirmed and 85 deaths recorded.

    The report also said one new suspected case was reported in Plateau, two new confirmed cases were reported in Edo but no death recorded within the week.

    There were three pending results, two from Ondo and one from Plateau, the report added.

  • Cholera: NCDC sends response team to Borno

    Cholera: NCDC sends response team to Borno

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ) has deployed a team to support the Borno Ministry of Health to contain a cholera outbreak in some parts of  the state.

    The Chief  Executive Officer of  NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Ihekweazu said that following investigations led by the Borno State Ministry of Health with support from the WHO and other partner agencies,  cholera was confirmed by NCDC’s Central Public Health Laboratory in Lagos.

    According to him, the disease is currently affecting six areas in the state with Muna Garage IDP Camp  on the outskirts of the state capital,  Maiduguri,  worst affected.

    He added that the NCDC in collaboration with other partners and humanitarian agencies were working closely to support the state government in curtailing the spread of the outbreak.

    Ihekweazu said that NCDC had deployed a Rapid Response Team to support the State Ministry of Health in coordination, contact identification, tracing and laboratory investigation as well as case management.

    He said that public health measures have been initiated  which include the establishment of a Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC) in the affected camp and surrounding areas.

    Ihekweazu also said that strengthening access to water, sanitation and hygiene were other measures taken to curb the spread of the disease, adding that partners were working together to conduct a cholera vaccination of the state.

    The CEO said that risk communications activities, using both conventional media and door-to-door enlightenment, had  been reinforced.

    He said that 319 suspected cases and 20 deaths had been reported in the state as at Saturday.

    “Cholera is a disease that causes acute watery diarrhea in children and adults.

    “While Cholera is endemic in Nigeria, we find an  increase in the number of cases during the rainy season.

    “The disease is most often spread by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated and is more common in areas with overcrowding as well as  poor sanitation and hygiene practices.

    “Cholera is characterised by sudden onset of severe acute watery diarrhea which can lead to death as a result of dehydration,’’ he said.

    Ihekweazu said that other symptoms of cholera include nausea, vomiting and weakness.

    He, therefore,  urged members of the public to report all sick persons with these signs or symptoms to a health care facility immediately for early initiation of treatment.

    The official also advised health care workers to strongly practise universal care precautions while handling patients at all times.

    “The NCDC urges all states to report cases of cholera immediately, while improving on the timeliness of their reporting generally to prevent widespread outbreaks,’’  Ihekweazu added.