The National Arbovirus and Vectors Research Center; (NAVRC), is not relenting in the efforts it is making, in ensuring that the country becomes free of disease vectors. The Centre has kick-start active vector surveillance for the year, starting with Ebonyi and Benue states. The Centre had previously trained skilled-level man power in the states, to help carry out this routine surveillance of disease vectors of public health importance.
The NAVRC-trained Disease Vector Surveillance Officers (DVSO); will be carrying out this active vector surveillance in the sentinel sites locations in their respective states. It is aimed that information obtained from this study, will help determine vector composition, and abundance in the different states. This is in a bid to forestall reoccurring outbreaks of infectious diseases such as yellow fever and other diseases of public health importance in Nigeria.
Earlier; the team paid advocacy visits to the State Epidemiologist and the Disease Notification Officer in the state, to brief them, on the vector surveillance program and activities that is ongoing in the state. They both pledged their continual support towards the program.
NAVRC Team interacting with the Ebonyi State Epidemiologist, Prince Nnachi Agha, during their visit .
State Disease Notification Officer (DSNOs), Dr. Sampson Emeka, playing host to the NAVRC Team when they paid him advocacy visit.
The Centre had in 2018 set up active vector surveillance sites beginning with Niger, Benue and Nasarawa states. And has since established same in Ebonyi and Anambra states, while it hopes to establish this active search across the country soon. This is in a bid to help curb the human and economic losses often witness as a result of infectious disease outbreaks.
