Marburg virus: NCDC activates response team, insists Nigeria at moderate risk

Laments under-vaccination as COVID-19 Omicron variant spreads
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened surveillance at the nation’s entry points to prevent an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus disease (MVD), even as it said the country faces moderate risk of importation.

It said no case of the disease has been reported in the country but urged health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and observe standard precautions, adding that its Incident Coordination Centre (ICC) is already in alert mode.

In a statement in Abuja, yesterday, NCDC Director General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, said there is no treatment or vaccine for MVD. However, infected persons could benefit from supportive care and treatment of specific symptoms, which improve chances of survival.

He assured that Nigeria has capacity to test for the virus at the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital Laboratory Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology.

Adetifa said, given the proximity of Ghana to Nigeria and an alert by World Health Organisation (WHO), the NCDC-led multi-sectoral National Emerging Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases Working Group (EVHDWG), which coordinates preparedness for MVD and other emerging viral haemorrhagic diseases, has conducted a rapid risk assessment to guide in-country vigilance.

He said based on available data, overall risk of importation of the disease and potential impact on Nigerians are moderate.

This followed assessment by NCDC experts and partners who considered: proximity (same region); high traffic from Ghana and countries that share borders with Ghana; the virus’ incubation period of 21 days; heightened surveillance at point of entry; Nigeria’s capacity to respond to the outbreak in-country and the fact that persons with MVD transmit the virus when they become symptomatic, unlike SARS-CoV-2 (that causes COVID-19), which can be transmitted without symptoms.

He said diagnostic capacity could be scaled up to other laboratories if required, noting that Nigeria has resources (human, technical and laboratory) for prompt identification and management, in the event of a single imported case.

He said NCDC is also amplifying risk communication efforts, even as it continues to work with states and partners to strengthen preparedness.

The NCDC boss advised Nigerians to avoid non-essential travel to locations where the outbreak has been reported and prevent direct contact with the blood, saliva, vomit, urine and other body fluids of people with suspected or confirmed Marburg virus disease.

MEANWHILE, NCDC confirmed circulation of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Nigeria, even as it plans a nationwide survey on the impact of vaccination on spread and fatality.

Adetifa told The Guardian, yesterday, “We have always had Omicron variant with us, from the very first one until now. The problem we have is that we are under-vaccinated. There is low uptake of the vaccines.

“Yes, I know of the possibility of waning effect with some vaccines after six months, but more people need to come forward for vaccination. Full vaccination will reduce the spread and fatality of any variant of COVID-19.”

He added: “We have received communications from Global Funds to conduct a nationwide study on the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the spread and fatality of the disease. The study will take care of issues around Omicron and possible waning of the effects of vaccines.”