WHO SAYS INSECURITY, LIMITED HEALTHCARE ACCESS, POPULATION MOVEMENTS CONTINUE TO SPREAD VARIANT POLIO TYPE 2 IN AFRICA 24-10-24
By Sadiq Aminu The World Health Organization (WHO) says insecurity, limited healthcare access, and population movements continue to exacerbate the spread of circulating variant polio type 2 in Africa.
In a message to mark the World Polio Day, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, says 134 cases have been reported across Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria in 2024.
She notes that significant progress has been made in the fight against polio and emphasizes the need for continued efforts to eradicate the virus across the continent.
Dr. Moeti says in July and August 2024, a coordinated plan was launched to tackle polio in high-risk areas, resulting in the vaccination of about 70 million children.
She stresses the need to enhance surveillance and conduct high-quality vaccination campaigns, particularly in underserved regions.
While celebrating the progress, Dr. Moeti urges governments, partners, and communities to stay vigilant, noting that setbacks can occur without sustained effort.
She also calls on all stakeholders to honor the dedication of health workers and community leaders, and reaffirms the WHO’s goal of a polio-free world.