NCDC RAISES ALERT ON POTENTIAL DISEASE OUTBREAKS IN NIGERIA .... Calls For Preventive Measures

“The NCDC is currently managing several outbreaks, including Lassa fever and meningitis, which are now declining." Dr Jide Idris 

Following severe flooding experienced in Borno state, the Borno State Government and other key stakeholders have advised to adopt preventive measures against potential disease outbreaks in the state.

Giving this advisory is the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris while providing updates on disease cases for 2023-2024 to journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Dr Idris highlighted the increased risk of diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, malaria, hepatitis, and dengue fever due to the flooding.

According to the NCDC helmsman, “The NCDC is currently managing several outbreaks, including Lassa fever and meningitis, which are now declining.

“However, we are likely to see an increase in these diseases as they are seasonal. It is crucial for us at the NCDC to begin preparing for the next season. This year alone, Lassa fever and meningitis recorded high numbers of cases and deaths, and we are determined to prevent this from happening again by taking early precautionary measures,” he added.

Providing updates on Mpox outbreak, Dr Jide noted that there are 67 confirmed cases across 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with 1,031 suspected cases reported from 35 states, including the FCT.

“Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans and between humans. It is endemic in parts of Africa, particularly in the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa.

“Transmission from animals can occur through direct contact with infected animals, such as monkeys, squirrels, and rodents, or their body fluids. Human-to-human transmission is primarily through direct contact with an infected person or contaminated materials.”

Explaining further, Dr. Idris disclosed that that "Mpox presents with symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash that usually starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body, including the palms, soles, and genital areas, making sexual contact a possible route of transmission.

He outlined ongoing efforts to expand molecular laboratories within the NCDC network, with plans to optimize at least two labs in each geopolitical zone.

“Additional measures include enhanced border surveillance, intensified monitoring among special groups, sustained provision of medical countermeasures, airing of public health jingles, and the production and dissemination of social and behavioral change materials in local languages,” he said.

The NCDC boss also provided updates on other disease outbreaks, including the meningitis outbreak in week 36 of 2024, with 141 suspected cases and one death (0.7% case fatality rate) reported across 19 LGAs in Katsina, Lagos, Kano, Jigawa, and Adamawa states.

"The cholera outbreak as of week 36, 2024, has seen 4,915 suspected cases, including 361 deaths (7.3% case fatality rate) reported across 24 states. Of the 859 samples collected from suspected cases, 378 were confirmed, representing a 44% positivity rate.

"In the 2024 Lassa fever outbreak, there were 7,973 suspected cases reported across 28 states and 127 LGAs. The yellow fever outbreak saw 1,728 suspected cases reported as of September 2024.

“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has resulted in 64,500 deaths attributable to AMR and 263,400 deaths associated with it, surpassing the big three: malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis. The diphtheria outbreak in 2024 reported 12,085 suspected cases across 21 states and 170 LGAs, with 7,784 confirmed cases,” he said.

Dr. Idris reiterated the NCDC’s commitment to continuously inform and educate Nigerians on disease outbreaks and the measures being taken to prevent the spread of such diseases.