The World Health Organization has announced that
polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria. This is the first time that
Nigeria has interrupted transmission of wild poliovirus, bringing the
country and the African region closer than ever to being certified
polio-free. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the
public-private partnership leading the effort to eradicate polio, called
this a ‘historic achievement’ in global health. Nigeria has not
reported a case of wild poliovirus since 24 July 2014, and all
laboratory data have confirmed a full 12 months have passed without any
new cases.
As recently as 2012, Nigeria accounted for more than
half of all polio cases worldwide. This success is the result of a
concerted effort by all levels of government, civil society, religious
leaders and tens of thousands of dedicated health workers. More than
200,000 volunteers across the country repeatedly immunized more than 45
million children under the age of five years, to ensure that no child
would suffer from this paralysing disease. Innovative approaches, such
as increased community involvement and the establishment of Emergency
Operations Centres at the national and state level, have also been
pivotal to Nigeria’s success.
The interruption of wild poliovirus
transmission in Nigeria would have been impossible without the support
and commitment of donors and development partners. Their continued
support, along with continued domestic funding from Nigeria, will be
essential to keep Nigeria and the entire region polio-free.
Polio, which can cause lifelong paralysis, has now been stopped nearly
everywhere in the world following a 25-year concerted international
effort. Polio remains endemic in only two countries – Pakistan and
Afghanistan. The eradication of polio globally now depends primarily on
stopping the disease in these countries. As long as polio exists
anywhere, it’s a threat to children everywhere.
Nigeria has
made remarkable progress against polio, but continued vigilance is
needed to protect these gains and ensure that polio does not return.
Immunization and surveillance activities must continue to rapidly detect
a potential re-introduction
Eradicating polio will be one of the greatest achievements in human
history, and have a positive impact on global health for generations to
come. Nigeria has brought the world one major step closer to achieving
this goal and it’s critical that we seize this opportunity to end polio
for good and ensure future generations of children are free from this
devastating disease.
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CREDIT: HealthNewsNg.
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