Africa
By Christabel Ejenike
IN a concerning turn of events, Nigeria, which was declared polio-free in August 2020, has reported cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus, cVDPV, a rare and mutated form of the virus.
The Africa Regional Certification Commission had certified Nigeria polio-free on August 25, 2020, marking a significant milestone in the global fight against the disease.
However, the country has since reported cases of cVDPV, which is a variant of the poliovirus that can cause disease in individuals who are not fully vaccinated or have weakened immune systems.
According to health experts, cVDPV is a rare phenomenon that occurs when the weakened poliovirus in oral poliovirus vaccines, OPV, mutates and regains its ability to cause disease. This mutated virus can then spread to others, posing a significant risk to public health.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, GPEI, a public-private partnership that led the efforts to eradicate polio in Nigeria, has expressed concern over the outbreak.
“While we celebrate the progress made in Nigeria, we must remain vigilant and ensure that we maintain high vaccination coverage to prevent the spread of cVDPV,” the GPEI spokesperson said.
Health officials in the country have launched an investigation into the outbreak and are working to strengthen vaccination efforts, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates.
“We urge all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children receive a full course of polio vaccines to protect them against this preventable disease,” a health official sad.
The outbreak of cVDPV in Nigeria serves as a reminder that the fight against polio is not yet over. While significant progress has been made globally, with five of the World Health Organization’s six regions now polio-free, ongoing efforts are needed to ensure that all countries remain polio-free.
Meanwhile, health officials are urging the public to remain calm but vigilant, and to take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of cVDPV.
With continued efforts and cooperation, Nigeria can once again achieve polio-free status and contribute to a global polio-free future.
6th July, 2024,
C.E.
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