Polio variant decreases by 38% in Nigeria within a year — WHO
By Ladi Jossy, Maiduguri
The World Health Organisation (WHO), on Thursday, said that the circulating variant of the polio virus Type 2 has decreased by over 38 per cent in Nigeria within a year.
WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, who made this known shortly after a roadshow as part of year’s commemoration the World Polio Day in Maiduguri, Borno State.
WHO added that despite the efforts, the polio virus persisted in the Lake Chad and Sahel regions as a result of factors like insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and high levels of population movement.
He noted that in 2024 alone, 134 polio Type 2 detections (both in the environment and in affected people, as of September 5) were reported jointly in the countries around the Lake Chad.
He further added over 70 million children in high-risk countries of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Niger Republic and Nigeria, have been vaccinated against polio virus in 2024.
“In Nigeria, we have witnessed over 38 per cent decrease in circulating variant polio virus type 2 cases between 2023 and 2024.
“This signifies the great efforts by Government and partners to interrupt cVPV2 outbreak,” Mulombo, who was represented by Dr Aisha Kadi said.
The country representative said that the only reason why polio virus thrived was because of the inability of the stakeholders to vaccinate the remaining un- or under-vaccinated children in the communities.
“I therefore want to add my voice to the call for greater community commitment to ensure that children get vaccinated,” Mulombo said.
The WHO country representative added that the only reason why the polio virus thrived was because of the inability of stakeholders to vaccinate the remaining un-vaccinated or under-vaccinated children in the communities.
