29th December, 2012
Eight new cases of wild polio virus have been reported in Nigeria’s north western state of Kebbi, according to Hajiya Saudatu Abdullahi, the manager of National Programme on Immunisation in the state
The new cases increase to 10 the polio virus incidents in the state.
Last October, Anna Jones, UNICEF Information Consultant reported two cases.
A report on the activities of the programme signed by Adbullahi, made available to NAN in Birnin Kebbi showed that wild virus had also been uncovered in Aliero, Augie, Birnin Kebbi, Bagudo, Yauri Local Government Areas while two types of the virus were recorded in Gwandu Local Government Area alone.
“Kebbi has 754,552 target population for immunisation and had the second highest risk nationwide with confirmed polio cases of type one and type three.”
She identified poor team work, data falsification, engagement of teenagers as local guide by village heads, non challance of local councils and delay in release of counterpart funding as major handicaps to the success of the programme.
The report, however, indicated that the state had achieved 89 per cent compliance in the polio eradication exercise.
Despite global efforts to eradicate polio, Nigeria, along with Afghanistan and Pakistan are the last three countries in the world, with endemic polio.
Polio has also re-established transmission in three countries which were previously polio-free (Angola, Chad and Democratic Republic of the Congo).
The presence of polio in the country has made the World Health Organisation announce a compulsory vaccination of Nigerians travelling abroad from May 2013.