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Poor diagnostic capacity driving misdiagnosis of acute fever – US CDC

Published

5 months ago

September 17, 2025

The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday said limited laboratory diagnostic capacity for Acute Febrile Illness is leading to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis of diseases, and inappropriate treatment and management of patients in Nigeria.

The US CDC made this known at a media roundtable in Abuja to highlight its support for AFI surveillance in the country, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners.

Experts say addressing gaps such as weak policies, limited testing facilities, and poor diagnostic capacity is essential to strengthen AFI surveillance in Nigeria.

Delivering his presentation, the Senior Public Health Specialist for Epidemiology and Surveillance at the US CDC Nigeria, Oladipupo Ipadeola, said AFI is an illness characterised by the rapid onset of fever, with or without other symptoms.

Ipadeola stated that AFI, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi, is more prevalent in children and young adults but can affect all age groups.

He noted that AFI presents with overlapping symptoms and that limited laboratory diagnostic capacity complicates its management.

He highlighted that AFI surveillance is crucial for early identification of infectious disease outbreaks, understanding their epidemiology, and implementing control measures.

“AFI surveillance refers to the systematic monitoring and investigation of cases of acute fever that occur suddenly and typically have a short duration. In Nigeria, limited laboratory diagnostic capacity for AFI is leading to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis of diseases, and inappropriate treatment and management of patients.

“Addressing AFI surveillance gaps, such as a lack of clear policy, limited geographical spread of testing facilities, and poor diagnostic capacity, is essential. A good understanding of AFI cases in a country allows ministries of health and other public health institutions to strengthen surveillance and laboratory capacity,” he said.

He, however, added that the Federal Government has shown commitment and implemented several strategies and initiatives to address AFIs.

“Some of the key actions include surveillance and monitoring to improve early detection and response, public health education campaigns, malaria control programmes, vaccination initiatives, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and collaborating with partners to enhance AFI activities,” he noted.

He explained that the U.S. CDC, in collaboration with the NCDC and other partners, has established sentinel surveillance sites across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, testing over 11,000 samples for priority diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Lassa fever, and COVID-19.

The agency also enhanced laboratory capacity by upgrading equipment, introducing multiplex PCR testing, and training staff in selected laboratories.

He emphasised that AFI surveillance is a key component of the U.S. CDC’s work to advance global health security and noted that AFI surveillance is helping to identify disease patterns, co-infections, and strengthen diagnostic capacity in Nigeria.

He added that since August 2024, coordination of the programme has been handed over to the NCDC, while the US CDC continues to provide technical support, rapid diagnostic kits, and laboratory reagents to improve testing at sentinel sites.

In her opening remarks, the Programme Director at the Division of Global Health Protection, U.S. CDC Nigeria, Farah Husain, emphasised the importance of strengthening surveillance for AFI in Nigeria, as they are among the most common but often misunderstood health conditions.

She explained that a robust surveillance system will help identify the causes, burden, and spread of such diseases, enabling better and faster responses to outbreaks.

“Today’s engagement is a broader effort by the U.S. CDC in collaboration with the NCDC to establish a sustainable AFI surveillance system in Nigeria.

“The overall intent of this system is to help improve early detection, enhance laboratory capacity, strengthen data, and ultimately help us respond better and faster to outbreaks,” she stated.

The Director of Surveillance at the NCDC, Fatima Saleh, stressed the need to strengthen surveillance systems, improve response capacity, and scale up outreach efforts.

Saleh emphasised the need for strong advocacy across all levels of government to ensure evidence-based action, wider inclusion, and sustained support for protecting the health of Nigerians.

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Ramadan: Adamawa gov relaxes night-time restriction on tricycles

Published

2 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has approved a review of the existing restriction on the operations of commercial tricycles, known as Keke NAPEP, in parts of the state for the 2026 Ramadan period.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Friday.

The statement said the restriction, which previously ran from 10pm to 5am would now commence an hour later.

“Under the revised directive, the restriction which previously ran from 10pm to 5am will now commence from 11p to 5am daily throughout the 2026 Ramadan period.

“The review takes immediate effect,” the statement read.

The government explained that the adjustment was introduced to ease movement for Muslim faithful during the holy month.

“The adjustment is intended to allow Muslim faithful attend late-night tafsir sessions with ease during the holy month,” it added.

The statement recalled that the Adamawa State Government had, in February 2021, imposed restrictions on the movement of tricycles and motorcycles through the Adamawa State Restriction of Movement of Tricycles/Motorcycles Executive Order No. 1 of 2021, as part of measures to strengthen public safety and security.

It noted that the latest review reflects the administration’s effort to balance religious observance with security considerations.

“The present review is therefore informed by the Government’s commitment to supporting religious observance, while maintaining the gains recorded in peace and security across the state,” the statement said.

Fintiri also directed security agencies to intensify patrols across the affected local government areas.

“Governor Fintiri has accordingly directed security agencies to intensify patrols, particularly within Yola North, Yola South and Girei, through the deployment of additional personnel to safeguard lives and property.

“He warned that any breach of the law will be dealt with decisively,” the statement added.

The governor further appealed to residents to act responsibly and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.

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DSS to arraign El-Rufai Feb 25 over alleged cybercrime, security breach

Published

20 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Department of State Services (DSS) will on February 25 arraign former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on alleged cybercrime and breach of national security

LIB had earlier reported that the DSS on Monday, February 16, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the court papers, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, “admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.”

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

In count two, the ex-governor was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, stated during the interview that he knew and related with a certain individual who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count three alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety and national security and instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications.

The DSS said the ex-governor by his own comment during the live interview committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

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News

Mob besieges Benin FRSC office

Published

20 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has praised the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Force for their swift and decisive response during the recent attack on the Benin Toll Gate Unit Command Office.

The attack occurred on Thursday at the RS5.12 Benin Toll Gate Unit on the Benin–Lagos Expressway, following a crash involving two trucks, the statement said.

One truck driver died in the accident, while FRSC personnel sustained critical injuries, with one officer later succumbing despite urgent medical attention.

“In the aftermath of the crash, an angry mob besieged and vandalised the Unit Command formation. However, the prompt response by security agencies helped to restore order and prevent further escalation,” Mohammed said in a statement issued on Friday by the FRSC spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in Abuja.

The Corps Marshal condemned the attack on FRSC personnel and facilities as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable,” emphasising that the operatives were on lawful duty to save lives.

He also commiserated with the families of the deceased driver, the fallen officer, and the entire FRSC workforce.

Mohammed has ordered a comprehensive investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and the circumstances that led to the mob action.

He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.

The FRSC boss reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians and called on the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of its activities.

(NAN)

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