Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Federal Government and the United States Centre for Disease Control (US-CDC) have strengthened efforts to expand surveillance of Acute Febrile Illnesses (AFI) following a dengue fever outbreak in Edo State.
Speaking at a media roundtable in Abuja on Wednesday, US-CDC Senior Public Health Specialist, Dr Oladipupo Ipadeola, said the partnership with Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and state health ministries had established sentinel surveillance sites in six facilities nationwide.
He revealed that as of 7 September 2025, 194 confirmed dengue fever cases were recorded across six local councils in Edo. “Over 11,000 patient samples have been tested, with PCR capacity now available at the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja,” he said. However, he warned that misdiagnosis remains a challenge due to limited laboratory facilities.
NCDC’s Dr Fatima Saleh said the agency is developing a national surveillance framework for dengue, while Professor Alash’le Abimiku of the International Centre of Excellence pledged continued support for expanded testing.
Dr Ifenyinwa Ejinkonye of Kubwa General Hospital noted progress in reporting from their sentinel site but admitted recent challenges.
Ipadeola stressed that early detection and data-driven interventions were crucial in curbing AFI threats. “This partnership is safeguarding communities by providing evidence to guide Nigeria’s health response,” he added.
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