PREFACE
The purpose of this technical note is to provide health professionals in United Nations agencies, nongovernmental organizations, donor agencies and local authorities working with populations affected by emergencies with up-to-date technical guidance on the major public health threats faced by the flood-affected population in Nigeria, and in particular the communicable disease risks.
The endemic and epidemic-prone diseases indicated have been selected on the basis of the burden of morbidity, mortality and epidemic potential in the area, as previously documented by WHO.
Public health threats, and in particular, the prevention and control of communicable diseases, represents a significant challenge to those providing healthcare services in this evolving situation.
It is hoped that this technical note will facilitate the coordination of activities between all agencies working among the populations currently affected by the crisis.