Polio Outbreak: Adamawa records 4 new cases

The Executive Director of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (APHDA), Dr. sulaiman Bashir, has said that two local governments  have recorded four new polio cases in the state.

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Bashir, announcing the outbreak yesterday to mark the 2021 World Polio Day in Yola. The state Capital, APHDA  disclosed that the new cases were caused by the circulating vaccin-derived poliovirus. 

This is coming one year after WHO declared Nigeria polio free.

Bashir said that four cases of Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus type 2 ( CVDPV) were reported in Adamawa, One case in Gombi and 3 cases in Yola South Local Government Area.
“Although, 99.9 per cent of Polio has been wiped out with the oral polio vaccine. In rare cases when enough children are not reached, other forms of the virus will continue to circulate” he said.
He also said a rapid response unit has been put in place to ensure that the circulation of all forms of polioviruses in the state is prevented.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to continue working with stakeholders at all levels to ensure the vaccination of every child in the state.
Adamawa state also affirmed in response to the Coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Semeeh Omoleke, that Nigeria was certified free of wild polio virus.
“Nigeria is currently facing outbreaks of Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus
partners in solving the current situation.

She said the best way to protect children from polio is by increasing population immunity through routine immunisation and ensuring strong surveillance systems are in place to rapidly detect any cases.

“Together, with the dedication of frontline health workers, with engaged communities, national leadership, and the support of partners, we can ensure that vaccines reach every at-risk child by 2023 to protect them and future generations from all forms of polio,” she added.

This came as Country Director, Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria, Mercy Gichuhi, declared children don’t have to die of preventable diseases including pneumonia.

Gichuhi stated this, yesterday, at the donation of equipment worth over N50 million to government-owned hospitals in Ikorodu and the presentation of baseline research findings on treatment of pneumonia in Ikorodu, under the Integrated Sustainable Childhood Pneumonia and Infectious Diseases Reduction in Nigeria (INSPIRING) project by SCI Nigeria

Oluchi Okwuego/Christine/Guardian