Surveillance systems critical to containing disease outbreaks

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Nigeria’s ability to stop the next epidemic before it spreads hinges on how fast it can detect it with robust surveillance systems and not the absence of drugs or vaccines.
National President, Epidemiological Society of Nigeria (EPISON), Dr. Matthew Ashikeni, disclosed this in Calabar during the annual general meeting of the society.
The conference with the theme:   “Strengthening Epidemiological Resilience in Nigeria: Addressing Emerging and Re-emerging Health Challenges” attracted epidemiologists across the country.
Ashikeni told participants “Nigeria cannot fight outbreaks without robust surveillance systems. “Early detection and rapid response ...