Nigeria detects wild poliovirus in recently accessible areas of Borno State

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.

External team begins assessment of surveillance system in Nigeria.

Abuja, 16 August, 2016 - An external surveillance team is in Nigeria to assess the sensitivity of the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance system. The assessment team will work at the national level and selected states of Borno, Kaduna, Kano and Sokoto from 15 to 25 August, 2016. The team further intends to determine the potential source or reservoir of the recently detected wild polio viruses in Nigeria.

Borno leaves no stone unturned as outbreak response to polio virus commences

Maiduguri, 17 August, 2016 - Immediate outbreak response (OBR) to recently detected wild polio viruses (WPV) in Borno State commenced on 15 August, 2016 with vaccination of children below five years of age in the two (2)  affected local government areas (LGAs) of Jere, Gwoza and three (3) surrounding LGAs of  Mafa, Maiduguri Municipal Council (MMC) and Bama.

Nigeria declares polio outbreak as a national public health emergency.

Abuja, 18 August 2016 - The Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole has declared the recent polio outbreak as a national public health emergency following the  report of two (2) wild polio virus (WPV) cases in Gwoza and Jere local government areas (LGAs) of Borno state last week after two (2) years without a single case.

Commissioner for Health commends WHO for deploying surveillance review team to Borno...

Maiduguri, 18 August 2016 - The Commissioner for Health, Dr Haruna Mshelia has applauded the World Health Organization (WHO) for deploying an international surveillance and outbreak response (OBR) review team to Borno State. The team which is headed by Dr Arshad Quddus from WHO Headquarters in Geneva plans to assess the sensitivity of the surveillance system in the state and the quality of the OBR conducted for the last circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (cVDPV) case reported from the state in May, 2016.

Nigerian Crisis Situation Report, 22 August 2016

Emergency team met key health sector partners on the ground; OCHA, MSF, ICRC and UNFPA to review health response and coordination.

Estimated 750,000 - 800,000 persons in dire need of health sector interventions in the newly liberated areas of Borno state.

Access constraints continue to hamper delivery of health care in many parts of the Northeast.

WHO scales up response to humanitarian crisis in Nigeria

22 August 2016 – A WHO emergency health team has arrived in Maiduguri city, north-eastern Nigeria, to assess and respond to the health needs of 800 000 people in the area. WHO and partners will work with local officials to urgently reduce the rates of death and disease caused by malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and a long-term lack of access to basic health services.

States in the North East intensify preparation for Outbreak Response Campaign

26 August 2016 - As the preparations for the August outbreak response (OBR) to the detection of two (2) wild polio viruses in Borno State intensify, the five (5) implementing states of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe, in collaboration WHO and other partners have commenced the implementation of strategic activities to ensure quality campaign and increased access to children in trapped and susceptible populations living in the region.

Nigerian Crisis Situation Report, 12 September 2016

WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and State Ministry of Health, Borno trained 28 community resource persons (CORPs) from newly liberated areas on Integrated Management of Childhood Illness including handwashing, breastfeeding and malnutrition screening.

The WHO team visited Monguno Local Government Area (LGA) to determine the feasibility of expanding the Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS) and conduct rapid health facility assessments in Monguno LGA.