Nigeria’s government has confirmed the outbreak of fresh polio cases in some of its states. The new outbreak has hit states like Jigawa, Katsina and Yobe.
Authorities in Kano State on Monday said they were taking measures to contain the outbreak in nine local government areas sharing borders with the affected states.
Local newspaper The Punch reports that polio immunization exercise is taking place in areas within Kano state prone to the polio outbreak.
The first phase of the immunization exercise which started on Saturday will end on Tuesday. That will be followed by a second round of immunization between September 22 and 25.
Punch reports that Kano State Health Commissioner, Dr Kabiru Ibrahim Getso says the immunization exercise is in line with the guidelines of the Expert Review Committee in Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization.
”As you are all aware, Polio Eradication Initiative, has come a long way in Kano State and indeed Nigeria, with the interruption of Polio Virus transmission and our match toward total eradication” Getso said about the fight against Polio.
Nigeria still remains the only African country that still has record of the polio virus reported within its territory. The country reported more than half the world’s cases in 2012.
Polio is an infectious disease that affects mainly children. It causes paralysis of the limbs. Polio is preventable by administering the polio vaccine over a period of time.
The disease is spread from person to person through ingesting fecal matter or food and water containing the fecal matter. In up to 70% of polio infections, there are no symptoms but gradual development of muscle weakness leading to paralysis.
Activities of militant group Boko Haram has largely contributed to efforts at fighting the disease due to displacement of people.
Source: Africafeeds.com
