The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in collaboration with key stakeholders, has advanced the nation’s surveillance of acute febrile illnesses (AFI). Stakeholders convened in Abuja to mark a new phase in Nigeria’s efforts to monitor and respond to diseases such as malaria, Lassa fever, and dengue.
The Acute Febrile Illness Sentinel Surveillance (AFIS) project, a collaborative effort between the NCDC and partners including the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC), has been instrumental in this initiative. The project tests for nine diseases, including malaria and SARS-CoV-2, and has established sentinel sites across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to enhance data collection and response strategies.
In his keynote address, Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, represented by Dr. John Oladejo, Director of Special Duties, NCDC, highlighted the evolution of Nigeria’s surveillance systems from basic data collection methods to sophisticated, technology-driven approaches. He emphasized the need to enhance data analysis capabilities, improve the timeliness of reporting systems, and ensure swift and effective responses to febrile illnesses.
“We have laid a strong foundation, but there is still much work to be done,” Idris stated. He called for renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the surveillance process, especially in rural and underserved areas. He acknowledged the challenges posed by emerging threats such as new pathogens and climate change but remained optimistic about the potential for early detection and intervention.
The Director-General urged all stakeholders, from frontline health workers to policymakers, to collaborate in building a resilient surveillance system capable of protecting the health of all Nigerians. “With your continued dedication and collaboration, we can achieve our shared vision of a Nigeria where febrile illnesses are detected early, managed effectively, and ultimately prevented from taking the heavy toll they have in the past,” he said.
Dr. Farah Husain, Programme Director of the Division of Global Health Protection at the US CDC, noted that the event marked the culmination of two years of hard work and the beginning of a new phase in the partnership focused on AFIS. She emphasized the critical role of AFI surveillance in public health, particularly in identifying pathogens, preventing misdiagnosis, and addressing drug resistance to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Husain acknowledged the progress made in building surveillance capacity and the lessons learned from the challenges faced over the past two years. She underscored the importance of establishing a robust AFI surveillance system that can quickly detect and reduce the spread of diseases within Nigeria and beyond, contributing to global health protection.
Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director of the International Research Center of Excellence at IHVN, stressed the importance of collaboration between partners, including the Nigerian government and the US CDC. She highlighted the commitment to supporting the Nigerian government, particularly in the transition phase, and ongoing efforts to improve healthcare and accurately diagnose patients.
Abimiku expressed confidence in the future, noting that the foundation built through these partnerships would ensure a seamless transition and continued progress in achieving better healthcare outcomes. She encouraged open discussions about difficult issues, emphasizing that this is a collective effort requiring active participation from all stakeholders, especially Nigerians.
AFI is a common symptom of various infectious diseases, often treated based on symptoms due to limited diagnostic services in Nigeria. The AFIS project, launched on April 4, 2022, aims to strengthen surveillance and diagnostic capacity for priority pathogens associated with AFI. Operating across six health facilities in different geopolitical zones, the project focuses on identifying AFI causes, building epidemiological and laboratory capacity, and establishing a biorepository.
Key activities include training lab scientists, confirming AFI cases, managing data through systems like SORMAS, and providing supervision and mentorship. The NCDC, IHVN, and US CDC play specific roles in sample testing, data management, technical support, and oversight. The project’s sustainability promises benefits such as early disease detection, targeted public health interventions, and integration with existing surveillance systems.
