By Sola Ogundipe

The World Health Organization, WHO, has expressed deep sympathy over the detection of new cases of wild polio virus in Nigeria, after more than two years without wild poliovirus. Reacting to the development, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said: “We are deeply saddened by the news that two Nigerian children have been paralyzed by polio. The Government has made significant strides to stop this paralyzing disease in recent years.

"The overriding priority now is to rapidly immunize all children around the affected area and ensure that no other children succumb to this terrible disease.” In his own reaction, Director of polio eradication at WHO Headquarters, Dr. Michel Zaffran, was optimistic.
“We are confident that with a swift response and strong collaboration with the Nigerian Government, we can soon rid the country of polio once and for all. This is an important reminder that the world cannot afford to be complacent as we are on the brink of polio eradication – we will only be done when the entire world has been certified polio-free,” he said.

According to WHO, genetic sequencing of the viruses suggests that the new cases are most closely linked to a wild poliovirus strain last detected in Borno in 2011. Low-level transmission of the poliovirus is not unexpected, particularly in areas where it is difficult to reach children with the vaccine. Subnational surveillance gaps persist in some areas of Borno, as well as in areas of neighbouring countries.

As recently as 2012, Nigeria accounted for more than half of all polio cases worldwide, but the country has made significant strides, recently marking two years without a case on 24 July 2016. This progress has been the result of a concerted effort by all levels of government, civil society, religious leaders and tens of thousands of dedicated health workers.

Steps including increased community involvement and the establishment of Emergency Operations Centers at the national and state level have been pivotal to Nigeria’s capacity to respond to outbreaks.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/sad-new-polio-cases-nigeria/

All thanks to the empty dry skull above

The worst president ever liveth is the new sheriff in town!

May it never be said of you that somebody's worst performance is better than your best - LudaChriz, 2016

The current minister of health who blamed GEJ for the Lassa epidemic is a monumental disgrace.

Oluwabusobomi:
May it never be said of you that somebody's worst performance is better than your best - LudaChriz, 2016

Wow!!!!!!

Never believed I can be quoted, the stupidity of Buhari has actually made it possible!

Baba God, may Buhari continue to be a dullard

Lalasticlala pls help a Nairalander promote his brand

I don't like calling buhari and his cohorts dullards but its visible to the blind and audible to the blind that a dullard is actually better than them.

PDP destroyed Nigeria for 16years but even the small good thing they have done have being destroyed under 1 year.

May it never be said of you that somebody's worst performance is better than your best - LudaChriz, 2016

Buhari is a chronic failure -keneking 2016

I pray no serious diseases occur otherwise we will die like rat from these people lack of preparedness. Lassa fever comes to mind.

"The overriding priority now is to rapidly immunize all children around the affected area and ensure that no other children succumb to this terrible disease.”

The over Rding Priority for APC is to Blame others but themselves, then sit down and do nothing.

Things keep getting out of hands, a failed country with ineptitude leaders

This is what you get when you lie.

All these agencies and NGOs lying to get funds and aids.
Lying to get accolades!!!

Fabricating statistics to seek relevance

Who is WHO?