Geneva, August 12, 2016 – The Nigerian Government has reported that 2 children have been paralyzed by the wild polio virus in the northern state of Borno, the World Health Organisation(WHO) has said. This is coming after more than two years without wild poliovirus reported in the country.
To tackle the menace, the Government of Nigeria is collaborating with WHO and other partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to respond urgently and prevent more children from being paralyzed.
These steps include conducting large-scale immunization campaigns and strengthening surveillance systems that help catch the virus early. These activities are also being strengthened in neighboring countries.
“We are deeply saddened by the news that 2 Nigerian children have been paralyzed by polio. The Government has made significant strides to stop this paralyzing disease in recent years. The overriding priority now is to rapidly immunize all children around the affected area and ensure that no other children succumb to this terrible disease”, said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
Genetic sequencing of the viruses suggests that the new cases are most closely linked to a wild poliovirus strain last detected in Borno in 2011.
According to WHO, low-level transmission of the poliovirus is not unexpected, particularly in areas where it is difficult to reach children with the vaccine, adding that sub-national surveillance gaps persist in some areas of Borno, as well as in areas of neighbouring countries.
