NCDC alerts Nigerians to Marburg virus outbreak

The possibility of a Marburg virus outbreak in Nigeria has prompted a public alert from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

NCDC Director General (DG), Jide Idris, revealed that the organisation is actively following the situation in Rwanda, where as of October 15, 2024, 62 cases and 15 fatalities have been confirmed, despite the fact that no cases of the deadly virus have been reported within the nation.

At the Abuja meeting on Thursday, Idris provided an update on the ongoing response to infectious disease outbreaks and other events of global and national public health significance. She also disclosed that, as of October 13, 2024, Nigeria had recorded 378 deaths from 14,237 cases of cholera across 35 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This information was provided by the country's Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The country’s case-fatality ratio is still 2.7%, he said, with children under five being the most vulnerable since the outbreak affects 339 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Additionally, he said that during the same time frame, Nigeria reported 102 confirmed cases from 1,339 suspected cases across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory. He added that although no deaths had been reported, the consistent rise in cases highlights the need for continued vigilance, said.
He claims that since the start of 2024, there have also been 1,018 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 172 fatalities in Nigeria, with the majority of cases coming from the states of Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi.

Even though the Lassa fever outbreak's peak was considered to have passed in April, there are still occasional cases being reported; in the last month alone, 37 new cases and four deaths have been documented, according to him.

In addition, the DG stated that although estimates for the next CSM season point to a small number of cases, the NCDC is not taking any chances and that CSM is a seasonal concern that peaks between January and April.

But he gave the public reassurance that the Agency has been proactive in anticipating and responding to emergencies while offering technical and material support wherever a disease outbreak is recorded.
"The virus, which is highly infectious and similar to Ebola viral disease, following our expert risk assessment conducted, adjudicated there is a potential for localised 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," he said in reference to the Marburg virus, emphasising that the NCDC cannot afford to take chances with the infectiou

"Even if there isn't a specific medication or vaccination for Marburg, the NCDC is ready to act.
"In collaboration with our partners from various government ministries, departments, and organisations, we have triggered health declaration forms for arriving travellers, particularly those from impacted areas, and we are prepared to separate suspicious cases immediately upon detection.
Furthermore, we have located isolation facilities and started the process of gathering the medical materials required to treat any cases that may arise.

But he also challenged the populace to be mindful of their personal cleanliness and how they behave around outsiders, stating, "We call on all Nigerians to exercise caution, especially when visiting areas where Marburg cases have been documented.

"Avoid coming into contact with wild animals, especially fruit bats. If you experience symptoms like a high temperature, a strong headache, or inexplicable bleeding, get medical help right once.

"The prevention of Marburg viral disease can be achieved through the use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser or regular, proper hand washing with soap and water under running water, as demonstrated by the preventive measures taken during the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria."

Regarding cholera, he stated that there have been two notable waves in Nigeria, with the most recent wave being linked to the heavy rains during the week of September 29 (Epi Week 39). He also stated that the number of suspected cases and deaths from cholera in 2024 has more than doubled compared to the same period the previous year.

According to him, the large number of cholera cases demonstrated the seriousness of the outbreak and underlined the necessity of ongoing attention and action.

He claims that the recent flooding in the northern states—Borno, Adamawa, Jigawa, Yobe, and Kano—has made these areas the current epicentres of the cholera outbreak since it has accelerated the disease's transmission.

"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," the director general (DG) remarked in reference to the evolving pattern of cholera disease spread.

Idris clarified, however, that the organisation has sent quick response teams to the impacted areas, working with local authorities to coordinate the delivery of vital supplies including medication and tablets for water purification.

The DG stated that the NCDC has also supported reactive cholera immunisations in internally displaced person (IDP) camps, which has assisted in reducing cases, in cooperation with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The NCDC advises Nigerians to practise proper hygiene, which includes often washing their hands and getting medical help right away if they have cholera symptoms.
By enhancing surveillance and fortifying water sanitation, the nation hopes to manage and eventually eradicate cholera as a hazard to public health.

He stated that in order to handle the Mpox issue, the agency has implemented a response mechanism that focusses on community participation, stakeholder engagement, surveillance and diagnostic capability, and vaccination campaigns.

Regarding Lassa fever, he stated that the NCDC is enhancing its readiness for the impending Lassa virus season in order to reduce the risk. "We have examined how we handled the last outbreak and taken note of the lessons we might apply to improve our work in the future.

According to research, renal failure is a leading cause of Lassa fever-related deaths. To address this, continuous training is provided to healthcare personnel at the state and municipal levels to guarantee prompt case detection, precise reporting,and effective management.
Twelve dialysis machines have been purchased and installed in our treatment facilities. In addition, we are storing vital medical supplies in high-risk states, including medications, personal protective equipment, and diagnostic tools, to guarantee a prompt response in the event of an outbreak," he stated.

While estimates for the next CSM season point to a moderate number of cases, the DG went on to explain that the NCDC is not taking any chances and that more than 400 healthcare professionals from nine states have received training in case management and cerebrospinal fluid collection—two critical skills for precise laboratory diagnosis and successful treatment.

"In order to make sure that our response strategies are both evidence-based and cost-effective, we are also gathering stakeholders for after-action reviews and conducting operational research in partnership with our partners."