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  • Monkeypox: 40 yearold patient dies, amid 21 suspected cases in Nigeria- NCDC

    Monkeypox: 40 yearold patient dies, amid 21 suspected cases in Nigeria- NCDC

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, has confirmed the death of a 40 year old patient of Monkeypox amid 21 suspected cases in the country.

    The agency said that the 40-year-old dead patient had underlying co-morbidity and was on immunosuppressive medications.

    The NCDC website on Monkeypox Emergency operations gave a breakdown on Monkeypox infection as at 29th May 2022 , as follows a total of 21 confirmed cases with one death have been reported from 9 states and the FCT – Adamawa (5), Lagos (4), Bayelsa (2), Delta (2), Cross River (2), FCT (2), Kano (2), Imo (1), Rivers (1).

    The agency said that Genomic surveillance and laboratory test carried out showed that so far all of the cases have been confirmed to be caused by West Africa clade Monkeypox virus.

    Also among the 21 cases reported in the year o far, there has been no evidence of any new or unusual transmission of the virus.

    Furthermore the agency noted that Nigeria’s risk of exposure to the Monkeypox virus is high based on the recent risk assessment conducted at NCDC, while the current situation in-country and globally has shown no significant threat to life , adding that the EOC will continue to monitor the evolving situation to inform public health action accordingly.

    Symptoms of monkeypox include sudden fever, headache, body pain, weakness, sore throat, enlargement of glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and under the jaw, followed by the appearance of a rash (often solid or fluid-filled at the onset) on the face, palms, soles of the feet, genitals and other parts of the body. The Monkeypox public health advisory can be accessed via – https://ncdc.gov.ng/news/367/public-health-advisory-on-monkeypox.

    Meanwhile the NCDC advise the public to remain aware of the risk of Monkeypox and adhere to public health safety measures and report to the nearest health facility if they notice the known signs and symptoms of the disease.
    Healthcare workers are to maintain a high index of suspicion for Monkeypox and report any suspected case to the relevant state Epidemiology Team for prompt public health intervention including sampling for confirmatory testing.

  • COVID-19 pandemic kills 3,000 persons amid 250,000 confirmed cases in two years- NCDC

    COVID-19 pandemic kills 3,000 persons amid 250,000 confirmed cases in two years- NCDC

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    In two years of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, Nigeria has recorded 3,000 deaths amid 250,000 confirmed cases on the virus.
    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Director General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa disclosed in a statement signed yesterday to mark the advent of the pandemic on the Nigerian soil.
    In a statement tagged ” Two Years of COVID-19 Response: Building on Lessons from COVID-19 to Strengthen Nigeria’s Health Security for the Future” , the agency said that Sunday, 27th February 2022, marked exactly two years since the first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first detected in Nigeria.

    However NCDC commended the prompt notification of health authorities by an astute doctor attending to the index case and noted that since then,
    Nigeria has confirmed an excess of 250,000 cases, recorded over 3,000 deaths,

    Within the period of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, government in it’s wisdom is strengthening the country’s health system to cope with other
    infectious diseases and future health emergencies, the statement hinted.
    It however emphasized that before the invasion of COVID-19, the world was preparing for a possible influenza pandemic, but he arrival of SARS-CoV-2 highlighted inadequacies in global pandemic preparedness.

    Meanwhile, the agency had stressed that the risk of public health like COVID-19 have greatly disrupted the livelihoods of people.

    “This makes it critical to learn from lessons taught by this pandemic to strengthen preparedness and response to other diseases in line with our
    mandate.”
    “We have continued to face outbreaks of cholera and Lassa fever concurrently with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
    “During the pandemic, the NCDC supported the establishment of infectious disease treatment centres, molecular laboratories, and public health emergency
    operation centres in all States, and provided equipment required for critical care in hospitals such as dialysis machines.”

    Also within the period of the global virus pandemic, NCDC said it has trained over 4,000 health workers on infection prevention control, provided support such as vehicles for outbreak investigation across states, and ensured regular supplies of treatment and testing supplies among other activities.
    The NCDC therefore called on the government to prioritising health on the political agenda for more investment in the healthcare sector if the nation.

  • Three Fresh Omicron Cases Confirmed In Nigeria

    Three Fresh Omicron Cases Confirmed In Nigeria

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed three more cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant in Nigeria.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the agency stated that the fresh Omicron cases were detected in persons with recent travel history to South Africa.

    “The NCDC through the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) continues to coordinate genomic surveillance activities across the country to sequence all positive COVID-19 samples from international travellers arriving in Nigeria. This includes sequencing of positive samples from international travellers from October 2021 to date.

    “The Delta variant remains the dominant variant and so far, we have not seen the replacement of this variant by the new Omicron variant as observed elsewhere. The Omicron variant is a source of global concern because of its increased risk of transmissibility and its potential to escape protective immune responses induced by natural infection and/or vaccination.

    “Taken together, and if true, the Omicron variant can significantly change the current global COVID-19 epidemiology. There is currently no evidence of generalised or community transmission of this variant in Nigeria. However, the NCDC will continue coordinating and implementing genomic surveillance activities in country to keep Nigerians reliably informed about existing variants, the Omicron and indeed other variants that may arise based on national data and emerging global evidence,” NCDC Director General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa said.

    This brings the total number of confirmed cases of the Omicron variant detected in Nigeria to six.

    The NCDC had announced the detection of three cases on December 1, 2021.

    The fresh Omicron cases were confirmed at a time when Nigeria is protesting the travel ban by some countries, including UK and Canada.

  • NCDC warns of COVID-19 fourth wave if Nigerians do not adhere to travel protocols

    NCDC warns of COVID-19 fourth wave if Nigerians do not adhere to travel protocols

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Amid the new strain of the newest Omicron variant in Nigeria, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control, NCDC, has warned that Nigeria risks a fourth wave of COVID-19 is travelers fail to observe the safety travel protocols.
    This warning was given today in a press statement signed by the NCDC Director General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetife today as the agency reacts to the new discovery of three cases of Omicron virus in Nigerians.

    The statement read, ” We appeal to Nigerians to adhere to these travel protocols to prevent a fourth wave of COVID-19 in the country as we combat the pandemic and these emerging variants including the Delta variant.”

    The NCDC said the Omicron variant also known as B.1.1.529 lineage was discovered from the routine travel test required of all international travelers and geromic sequencing at the NCDC through the National Reference Laboratory , NRL, which confirmed it’s controversial first case.
    According to the agency the genomic sequencing of positive cases from routine day two test for all travelers to Nigeria .
    NCDC said, ” It identified two cases of Omicron variant among travelers from South Africa who arrived Nigeria last week.”

    The two recent cases through asymptomatic have been likely linked to clinical care and other response activities which include contact tracing have commenced, adding that arrangements have been made to notify their country to commence in country response.
    The statement read, ‘ NCDC assumes this new variant is widespread globally with possible community transmission ongoing in Nigeria.
    Our focus remains to prioritize the genomic sequencing of recently accrued samples of SARD- COV-2 positive travelers from all countries that have reported the Omicron variant, Adetifa said.
    Furthermore the agency warns that the virus is more likely to spread where people gather and do not adhere to public health measures , adding that the best option for Nigeria to interrupt the transmission of the virus is only through vaccination and adherence to proven safety measures.

  • NCDC Confirms Three Cases Of Omicron COVID Variant In Nigeria

    NCDC Confirms Three Cases Of Omicron COVID Variant In Nigeria

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced the detection of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in Nigeria.

    According to a statement by Ifedayo Adetifa, the NCDC director-general, the variant was detected in two Nigerians who arrived in the country last week.

    The agency, however, said the two cases are asymptomatic, and that contact tracing has begun.

    “In line with the routine travel test required of all international travelers and genomic sequencing at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) through its National Reference Laboratory (NRL), Abuja -confirmed Nigeria’s first case of the Omicron variant, also known as the B.1.1.529 lineage,” the statement reads.

    “Genomic sequencing of positive cases from routine day two test for all travelers to Nigeria identified two cases of Omicron variant among travelers from South Africa who arrived in Nigeria in the last week.

    “Retrospective sequencing of the previously confirmed cases among travellers to Nigeria also identified the Omicron variant among the sample collected in October 2021.

    “The two recent cases though asymptomatic have been linked to clinical care and other response activities which include contact tracing have commenced. Arrangements have been made to notify their country of origin to commence in country response.”

    In a subsequent statement, the NCDC said three cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 have now been detected in the country.

    “Genomic surveillance has now identified and confirmed Nigeria’s first cases of the B.1.1.529 SARS-CoV-2 lineage, now known as the Omicron variant. Samples obtained for the stipulated day two test for all travellers to Nigeria were positive for this variant in three persons with a history of travel to South Africa,” the statement reads.

    The index case of Omicron was detected in South Africa last Tuesday, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) had subsequently designated Omicron as a “variant of concern”, calling on global leaders to take action to contain its spread.

    The variant has already been detected in many countries including the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Botswana, Israel, Australia and Hong Kong.

    On Sunday, Canada has reported two cases of Omicron in individuals who had recently travelled to Nigeria.

  • BREAKING: Buhari appoints Dr. Adetifa new NCDC DG

    BREAKING: Buhari appoints Dr. Adetifa new NCDC DG

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday appointed Dr. Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa as the new Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    Buhari’s Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu confirmed the appointment in a statement on Monday.

    Shehu said Adetifa will take over from Chikwe Ihekweazu, who has been given an appointment at the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    Ihekweazu had been NCDC DG since 2016 when Buhari appointed him, but last week, WHO appointed him as an assistant Director-General.

    In an official letter addressed to Ihekweazu, WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the Nigerian is the deputy in charge of health emergency intelligence at the global health organisation.

    He is to assume the office on November 1, 2021, and will be in charge of WHO’s pandemic and epidemic response hub in Berlin, Germany.

  • Gov Ortom Lauds NCDC Over Fight Against insecurity in Benue State

    Gov Ortom Lauds NCDC Over Fight Against insecurity in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has lauded the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp, NCDC, over its fight against insecurity in the state.

    The Governor gave this commendation when the new Commandant of the Corp in Benue State, Mr Philip Okoh paid a courtesy visit to him at the Government House Makurdi.

    He stressed that the Agro Rangers of the organization have distinguished themselves in the fight against banditry and criminality in the state.

    Ortom promised to sustain the support of his administration to the Corp as well as other security operatives to enable them carry out their duties more efficiently.

    The Governor stated that the implementation of the shoot at sight order by President Muhammadu Buhari against people who illegally carry AK47 rifles would help in no small measure in tackling security challenge in Nigeria.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant of the Corp, Mr Okoh said his mission in the state was to ensure peace and order. He appealed to the Governor to support the Command to enable it address some of the challenges confronting it.

  • NCDC registers 14 deaths, 1,340 new Infections in one day

    NCDC registers 14 deaths, 1,340 new Infections in one day

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has registered 1,340 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of infected people in the country to 136,030.

    The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Thursday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country has so far tested 1,302,410 people since the COVID-19 index case was recorded on Feb. 27, 2020.

    The NCDC also confirmed additional 14 coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of those who had succumbed to the disease to 1,632.

    The agency said the new infections were recorded in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The NCDC said that FCT topped the list with 320 infections, followed by Lagos 275, Rivers 117 and Oyo 100 cases.

    Other states where the new infections took place were Akwa Ibom-57, Ogun-51, Ebonyi-48, Benue-44, Adamawa-42, Imo-38, Kwara-35, Gombe-32, Kaduna-31, Edo-29, Osun-29, Kano-24, Ekiti-15, Katsina-14, Delta-13, Nasarawa-13, Jigawa-10 and Sokoto-3.

    The NCDC put the number of recoveries at 110,449, with additional 1,792 people discharged across the country in the last 24 hours.

    It added that those discharged on Thursday included 824 community recoveries in Lagos State, 448 in FCT and 142 in Plateau, all managed in line with prescribed guidelines.

    The agency said that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activated at Level 3, is coordinating response activities nationwide

  • WHO/NCDC Inspects Adamawa NYSC Orientation Camp

    WHO/NCDC Inspects Adamawa NYSC Orientation Camp

    By Musa Isa Ahmed

    The World Health Organization (WHO) and NCDC visited the Adamawa NYSC Orientation Camp to assess the camp building capacity and level of preparedness for the hosting of the 2020 Batch B Stream II Orientation Course.

     Speaking on behalf of the team, the State Covid-19 Incident Manager, Dr. Stephen John, commended the NYSC State Coordinator, Mal. Ibrahim M. Tukur, for putting all the necessary Covid-19 safety measures in place for the smooth conduct of the Orientation course. 

    The State Coordinator on his part appreciated the WHO and NCDC team for their critical support particularly with the testing of all prospective corps members, camp officials and camp market operators, in addition to any necessary visitor. 

    The team inspected the critical camp facilities particularly the camp clinic and Covid-19 holding centre.

    Other members on he team included Dr. Adrel Apaga of WHO, Dr. Anas Ibrahim of NCDC, Dr. Bosler Lazarus as well as Dr. Joseph Dika.

  • COVID-19: NCDC records 1,041 new infections

    COVID-19: NCDC records 1,041 new infections

    The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) has registered  1,041 new infections of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

    The NCDC made this known via its verified website on Thursday.

    Daybreak reports that since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last February, more than 912,114 samples had been tested by the agency.

    NCDC said that the new infections brought the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 81,963, out of which 69,651 patients had been discharged and 1,242 deaths recorded.

    It said that the 1,041 new cases were recorded in 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The centre said the number of COVID-19 patients who have been discharged had increased by 377.

    “Our discharges today include 128 community recoveries in Lagos State, managed in line with the set guidelines,” it stated.

    As for new infections, the NCDC stated that Lagos took the lead with 316 new cases, followed by the FCT with 210, Kaduna 83 and Plateau 70 cases.

    Gombe and Oyo had 56 each;  Katsina, 47;  Nasarawa, 35, Kano, 33 and Ogun, 21.

    Rivers reported 17 new cases; Niger and  Imo14 each; Delta, Kwara and Edo had 12 each;  Benue, nine and Anambra had eight.

    According to the NCDC Taraba and Ekiti had four, Ebonyi, six and Bayelsa and Sokoto got one each.

    The agency said that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), activated at Level Three, has continued to coordinate the national response activities.

    Meanwhile, the NCDC disclosed that in the recent weeks there has been a huge increase in the number of samples sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja from several states and the FCT.

    “This has led to an unusual delay with testing, but we’re working round the clock,’’ it said.

    The NCDC appealed to workers in laboratories across the states to continue with COVID-19 testing, so that most samples are not sent to its laboratory in Abuja.

    “Despite the very tough year, we appeal to health workers across the country to sustain the response. We remain committed to supporting states,” the NCDC said.