The novel coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [1] was first reported in December 2019 by Chinese Health Authorities following an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, Hubei Province [2,3]. SARS-CoV-2 is likely of zoonotic origin, similar to SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and transmitted between humans through respiratory droplets and fomites. Since its emergence, it has rapidly spread globally [4].

Since 2017, Nigeria has experienced large outbreaks of Lassa fever (LF) [1,2]. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) activated its Emergency Operations Centre for the outbreak response. However, it was difficult to determine the emergency phase for LF outbreak response because of its endemicity. Because there are ongoing sporadic LF cases throughout the year [2], a single case of the disease cannot be the trigger to determine the emergency phase of LF such as the case of Ebola [3]. The World Health Organization advocated the use of alerts for malaria when weekly cases exceed the 75th percentile of cases from the same week in previous years [4]. However, applying similar thresholds for LF seems too low to implement intensive response in resource-limiting setting. Additionally, the thresholds do not take consideration of the capacity of response activity itself. 2020 ISGH

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Nigeria with a view of generating evidence to enhance planning and response strategies. A national surveillance dataset between 27 February and 6 June 2020 was retrospectively analysed, with confirmatory testing for COVID-19 done by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The primary outcomes were cumulative incidence (CI) and case fatality (CF). A total of 40 926 persons (67% of total 60 839) had complete records of RT-PCR test across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory, 12 289 (30.0%) of whom were confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those confirmed cases, 3467 (28.2%) had complete records of clinical outcome (alive or dead), 342 (9.9%) of which died. The overall CI and CF were 5.6 per 100 000 population and 2.8%, respectively. The highest proportion of COVID-19 cases and deaths were recorded in persons aged 31-40 years (25.5%) and 61-70 years (26.6%), respectively; and males accounted for a higher proportion of confirmed cases (65.8%) and deaths (79.0%). Sixty-six per cent of confirmed COVID-19 cases were asymptomatic at diagnosis. In conclusion, this paper has provided an insight into the early epidemiology of COVID-19 in Nigeria, which could be useful for contextualising public health planning.

Poller et al., in this Journal, provided a useful consensus for use of personal protective equipment for managing high consequence infectious disease1. Although this was driven largely by recent Ebola virus disease emergencies, we should remind your readers of the continuing problem of Lassa fever (LF) in West Africa. LF is a febrile infectious disease caused by Lassa virus. The clinical presentation of the disease is nonspecific and includes fever, fatigue, hemorrhage, gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory symptoms, and neurological symptoms2. The observed case fatality rate among patients hospitalized with severe LF is 15–20%3,4. The disease is mainly spread to humans through contamination with the urine or faeces of infected rats2. Human-to-human transmission can occur through contact with the body fluids of infected persons. Therefore, health care workers are at high risk for infection when the standard precautions for infection prevention and control including appropriate personal protective equipment are inadequate5.

BACKGROUND: In September, 2017, human monkeypox re-emerged in Nigeria, 39 years after the last reported case. We aimed to describe the clinical and epidemiological features of the 2017-18 human monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria. METHODS: We reviewed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cases of human monkeypox that occurred between Sept 22, 2017, and Sept 16, 2018. Data were collected with a standardised case investigation form, with a case definition of human monkeypox that was based on previously established guidelines. Diagnosis was confirmed by viral identification with real-time PCR and by detection of positive anti-orthopoxvirus IgM antibodies. Whole-genome sequencing was done for seven cases. Haplotype analysis results, genetic distance data, and epidemiological data were used to infer a likely series of events for potential human-to-human transmission of the west African clade of monkeypox virus. FINDINGS: 122 confirmed or probable cases of human monkeypox were recorded in 17 states, including seven deaths (case fatality rate 6%). People infected with monkeypox virus were aged between 2 days and 50 years (median 29 years [IQR 14]), and 84 (69%) were male. All 122 patients had vesiculopustular rash, and fever, pruritus, headache, and lymphadenopathy were also common. The rash affected all parts of the body, with the face being most affected. The distribution of cases and contacts suggested both primary zoonotic and secondary human-to-human transmission. Two cases of health-care-associated infection were recorded. Genomic analysis suggested multiple introductions of the virus and a single introduction along with human-to-human transmission in a prison facility. INTERPRETATION: This study describes the largest documented human outbreak of the west African clade of the monkeypox virus. Our results suggest endemicity of monkeypox virus in Nigeria, with some evidence of human-to-human transmission. Further studies are necessary to explore animal reservoirs and risk factors for transmission of the virus in Nigeria. FUNDING: None.

Lassa fever cases have increased in Nigeria since 2016 with the highest number, 633 cases, reported in 2018. From 1 January to 28 April 2019, 554 laboratory-confirmed cases including 124 deaths were reported in 21 states in Nigeria. A public health emergency was declared on 22 January by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. We describe the various outbreak responses that have been implemented, including establishment of emergency thresholds and guidelines for case management.

On September 22, 2017, a suspected human case of monkeypox was reported to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) from Bayelsa State in southern Nigeria. Because monkeypox had not been reported in Nigeria since 1978 (1), the case raised national and international concern. A multisectoral, international outbreak investigation was undertaken to identify sources and risk factors, establish surveillance, and enhance preparedness. A suspected case was defined as the sudden onset of fever, followed by a vesiculopustular rash primarily on the face, palms, and soles. A confirmed case was any suspected case with laboratory confirmation (by serology, molecular detection of viral DNA, or virus isolation). A probable case was a suspected case epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case. As of February 25, 2018, a total of 228 suspected cases (including 89 confirmed and three probable cases) had been investigated in 24 of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Six deaths (6.7%) were recorded among the 89 confirmed cases. The outbreak has not been declared over, and NCDC continues to collect data to develop a baseline level for this disease, which had not been reported in 40 years and now might be endemic to Nigeria. Given the zoonotic nature of the disease, this outbreak has required a robust One Health outbreak collaboration among human, animal, and environmental health institutions.