Abuja, 12 August, 2016 - With improved surveillance among recently accessible populations of Borno State, Nigeria has identified two (2) wild poliovirus (WPV) cases, the first to be detected since July 2014.

Addressing partners and stakeholders on 11 August, 2016, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, confirmed that two children have been paralyzed in Gwoza and Jere local government areas (LGAs) of Borno State. The isolated viruses are linked to a virus last detected in Borno in 2011.

He pointed out that “detection of the 2 children paralyzed by polio was an indication of improved surveillance, but a sobering reminder on the challenges that remained, especially in Borno”

The cases include an index case from Gwoza and a contact case from Jere. The index case has date of onset of paralysis of 13 July 2016.  Gwoza is 85% inaccessible to health personnel due to extant insurgency. On the other hand, Jere is a metropolitan LGA  within Maiduguri Municipal Council  and is a destination for a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The contact case in Jere is from one of the IDPs camps.

During the briefing, the Minister further disclosed the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, has finalized a detailed risk analysis and developed a plan that will increase the frequency of collecting samples to clearly ascertain the extent of circulation of this virus, and to assess overall levels of population immunity.  “Our overriding priority right now is to rapidly boost immunity in the affected areas to ensure that no more children are affected by this terrible disease”. He stated.

Already, a National emergency response team, comprising government and partners has been deployed to Borno for immediate and robust polio vaccination campaign. The first campaign will start on 15 August targeting 1.3 million children in 4 LGAs, followed by a large-scale second round on 27 August targeting 4.5 million children across four states Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe.  A third campaign will be conducted at a further 2-3 week interval

Professor Adewole indicated that “Government reiterates full commitment to achieving a polio-free Nigeria and assures the general public that this outbreak will be stopped within shortest possible time”.

The Minister therefore urged states and LGAs to re-double efforts to safeguard their territories from importations of the virus by providing the required leadership and ensuring accountability among health workers and other stakeholders.

As recently as 2012, Nigeria accounted for more than half of all polio cases worldwide, but the country has made significant progress in recent years, marking two years without a single case just last month.

This progress has been the result of a concerted effort by all levels of government, civil society, traditional and religious leaders and tens of thousands of dedicated health workers.

Innovative approaches, such as increased community involvement and the establishment of Emergency Operations Centers at the national and state level, have also been pivotal. As a result, Nigeria has the capacity to adequately respond to this outbreak.

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Below:

01 - Professor Isaac Adewole, Nigeria's Minister of Health

02 - The Minister briefing partners and stakeholders on the WPV in Borno