NIGERIA VS POLIO: AN UPDATE

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03/10/08 POLIO/ SURVEILLANCE

Twenty-one new Polio cases have been reported in Nigeria raising the country’s total number for this year to 692.

A World Health Organisation surveillance report made available to Radio Nigeria in Kaduna by the Community Participation for Action in the Social Sector-COMPASS, shows that the figure represents an increase of 491 cases compared to the same period last year.

Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara States have remained the highest-risk states with Kano accounting for 239 cases.

The surveillance report attributed the high outbreak in the northwest to high number of children missed during Polio immunisation exercises which has continued to pose challenge to Polio eradication in the country.

The report also reveals that wild Polio originating from Nigeria has this year spread to some neighbouring countries.

In the meantime, preparations are underway for Integrated Measles Immunisation in November during which Oral Polio Vaccines will be made available for children.

According to the report, the Expert Review Committee for Polio Eradication and Routine Immunisation is scheduled to meet later this month to assess the progress made so far in the fight against polio in the country.

Nigeria has remained the leading country in the world accounting for 84% of Polio cases.

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