Nigeria’s readiness unclear as Zika virus spreads to Africa

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that the Zika virus strain which has been reputed to be the cause of neurological disorders and microcephaly in infants has been imported from the Americas to Cape Verde in West Africa.

Cape Verde is 3,567 km and approximately four and half hours away by flight from Nigeria, also in close proximity to many other countries in the West African sub-region.

“Sequencing of the virus in Cabo Verde by Institut Pasteur, Dakar confirms that the Zika virus currently circulating in Cabo Verde is the same as the one circulating in the Americas – the Asian type- and was most likely imported from Brazil. This is the first time that the Zika strain responsible for the outbreaks linked to neurological disorders and microcephaly has been detected in Africa.” says Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Moeti adds that “The findings are of concern because it is further proof that the outbreak is spreading beyond South America and is on the doorstep of Africa. This information will help African countries to re-evaluate their level of risk and adapt and increase their levels of preparedness.”

Nigeria’s level of preparedness is however unclear. Messages sent by E-mail to Abdulsalam Nasiadi, Director General of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have been unanswered for days, while he has also been unreachable by phone as at press time.

David Oyeleye, a professor of virology at the University of Ibadan tells BusinessDay there is a need to increase surveillance both at airports, and at the seaports.

Oyeleye reiterated that incoming vessels and aircraft need to be sprayed with appropriate chemicals to ensure proper decontamination in the event disease carrying pathogens have been ferried.

WHO recommends as a first step, that African countries should heighten risk communication to pregnant women to raise awareness of complications associated with the Asian type of Zika virus and promote protection steps to avoid mosquito bites as well as sexual transmission. In addition, countries should increase their surveillance for Zika transmission and congenital malformations, such as microcephaly, as well as Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Speaking with BusinessDay, Sunday Omilabu, a professor of virology at the University of Lagos had explained that the main reason for mother to infant transmission is based on the lack of immunity in the fetus to protect itself when the mother gets infected.

Omilabu explains fetal deformities in Nigeria before the revelation from the Zika outbreak have not been investigated to determine any probable existence of such relationship. He reiterates there is need to expand the scope of investigations to avoid generic assumptions on infant deformities when these could be narrowed down to specific viral or bacterial causes such as Zika has revealed.

For Omilabu, while a number of viruses such as rubella and influenza can cause infant deformity, it now becomes important to take Zika into consideration for extensive research towards preventing any occurrences in Nigeria.

WHO’s response plan however suggests that the Zika Virus Disease Incident Management System in Brazzaville and at headquarters will continue to review existing risk assessments, increase surveillance, and assess laboratory testing capacity and support community engagement and risk communications in priority countries. In addition, WHO and its partners will support the countries in the African region to step up preparedness efforts for early detection, confirmation and management of potential complications related to Zika infection. The response will build on investments in strengthened systems made in West Africa during the Ebola emergency.

Caleb Ojewale