The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said an expert risk assessment has revealed that Nigeria is at potential risk of the ongoing Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda.
The Director-General of the agency, Dr. Jide Idris, said this Thursday in Abuja while giving an update on the ongoing response to infectious disease outbreaks and other events of public health significance in Nigeria and the world.
He said this was especially the case if the virus was imported into Nigeria because of the high population of bats, where bats are used as a delicacy, and the high amount of movement between the two countries.
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He said the NCDC is closely monitoring the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, adding that as of October 15, 2024, there were 62 confirmed cases and 15 deaths.
Although he said there was no specific treatment or vaccine for Marburg disease, he said the NCDC was ready to respond.
“We are working with stakeholders across government departments to ensure health declaration forms are available for arriving passengers, especially those arriving from affected areas, and ready to isolate immediately in case of suspected infection,” he said. “There is,” he said. Additionally, we have begun the process of identifying isolation centers and stocking them with the necessary medical supplies to deal with potential cases. ”
He called on all Nigerians, especially those traveling to areas where Marburg infections have been reported, to remain vigilant.
On other diseases, he said since the beginning of 2024, Nigeria has recorded 1,018 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 172 deaths, with the majority of cases reported from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states. He said there was.
He said research results had identified renal failure as the main cause of death from Lassa fever.
To address this, he said training of health workers at both state and local levels is ongoing to ensure rapid case finding, accurate reporting and effective management. .
“We have procured and installed 12 dialysis machines across our treatment centres,” he said. “We have also procured and installed 12 dialysis machines across our treatment centres. We have also stocked up on personal protective equipment, medicines, diagnostic tools and more to ensure a rapid response in the event of an outbreak. We are stockpiling critical medical supplies in high-risk states.”
On Mpox, he said Nigeria continues to deal with the outbreak with vigilance, with a total of 102 confirmed cases recorded as of October 13 out of 1,339 suspected cases in 26 states and the FCT. He pointed out that He added that the observed steady increase in the number of reported cases in recent weeks can be attributed to increased surveillance and improved case detection across the country.
The NCDC DG added that although projections for the next CSM season suggest a moderate number of cases, the agency is not taking any chances.
He said more than 400 health care workers in nine states have been trained in case management and cerebrospinal fluid collection, which is essential for accurate laboratory diagnosis and effective treatment.
He said the country is fostering strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including the National Council on Climate Change and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), to strengthen climate-informed decision-making capacity.
“Through seamless real-time data sharing and coordinated collaboration, we aim to strengthen preparedness and response to climate-related health risks such as floods and droughts. This proactive approach continues to evolve. “This further underscores our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health, well-being and resilience of Nigerians amidst the global health situation,” he said.
He stressed that public health is a shared responsibility.
