World Health Organization (WHO) detected about 134 polio type 2, both in the environment and in affected people in seven African countries namely: Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, and Niger Republic as of 5th September 2024.
Gatekeepers News reports that WHO noted that as part of efforts to tackle the virus, about 70 million children in the seven African counties in high-risk areas were vaccinated against the virus since the beginning of 2024.
Regional Director of the organisation, Matshidiso Moeti disclosed this in his message on the occasion of 2024, World Polio Day celebration in Makurdi on Thursday.
Moeti said that stakeholders are closer than ever to a polio-free Africa, even though much work remains to be done.
However, he pointed out that in African region, while detections for the circulating Variant Poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) have decreased by 96 percent, that of cVDPV2 has dropped by 65 percent in 2024, compared to the figures for 2023.
He said that “In 2024 alone, 134 polio type 2 detections (both in the environment and in affected people, as of September 5th) have been reported jointly in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.”
“Strong political commitment is crucial to the fight against polio. Acknowledging the urgent need for renewed collaboration, especially along borders, government leaders, WHO, UNICEF, and other partners joined forces in July and August 2024 to develop a coordination plan aimed at eradicating variant polio virus in the above countries. As a result, nearly 70 million children in high-risk areas in those countries have been vaccinated since the beginning of the year (2024).”
“Data equally bear out these results. When comparing them from 2023 and 2024 (as of 31 August for each year), cVDPV1 detections have decreased by 96 percent while cVDPV2 detections have dropped by 65 percent in the African Region.”
“It is important to recognize that the countries in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel have also united to tackle a new and pressing challenge: the continued transmission of circulating variant polio type 2 (cVDPV2).”
“Despite substantial efforts, the virus persists in these regions, fueled by factors like insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and high levels of population movement.”
“Vigilance is also critical. We need to enhance surveillance, especially in underserved areas, and accelerate our response to any new detections. Equally important is the need to scale up high-quality vaccination campaigns.”
“Our goals are clear. We must remain vigilant through robust surveillance systems, respond rapidly with high quality vaccination campaigns, improve routine immunization coverage, and ensure that the polio program’s infrastructure continues to benefit other public health priorities. Progress is real, but setbacks can occur when we lose vigilance.”
“World Polio Day finds us at a pivotal moment in our mission to eradicate polio. We are now closer than ever to a polio-free Africa, but much work remains.”
“It is a journey marked by the determination of countless individuals across the continent, governments, healthcare workers, and communities that have brought us closer than ever to the dream of an Africa free of all forms of polio, a virus that can cause paralysis and death in a matter of days.”
