Polio Resurfaces In Nigeria After Two Years

Nigeria’s hope of being certified Polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO), next year, might have been dashed, as two new cases have been reported. Health authorities in Abuja have, however, remained silent, with key officials refusing to be quoted.

The two cases of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) were discovered in Gwarzo and Jere LGAs of Borno State, yesterday. A top health official said the country has decided to term it a ‘suspicion’, while it seeks the best approach to break the news to the public.

It was learnt WHO could announce the development at a press conference in Geneva tomorrow. Last month, July 24, Nigeria celebrated two years without any new case of Polio because the last known infection was in July 2014. It is uncertain how the WHO will handle the resurgence.

WHO and Rotary, which co-funds polio eradication, warned against relaxing surveillance and maintaining commitment. Last week, a number of civil society organisations raised concern about N12.8bn immunisation fund yet to be released only 4 months to the end of 2016.

“We have less than five months to the end of 2016 yet nothing has been released for immunization, for procurement of vaccines and other logistics,” said Dr Aminu Magashi, project director for Community Health and Research Initiative, part of the coalition Partnership for Advocacy for Child and Family Health, PACFaH.

“As a nation we cannot continue to depend on development partners to buy the vaccines we need in the country yet we have funds for such purposes in our budget,” he added