Polio Infections in Nigeria - Exterminating Polio at Risk?

WHO reports two new infections with polio wild virus from Nigeria
Polio virus pathogens have been eradicated for years in most countries around the world, and in the meantime, polio viruses may soon be completely eliminated. But the dangerous viruses in some reservoirs have survived to this day. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently reporting two cases from Nigeria in which children have been infected with a polio wild virus strain. A major setback in the fight against polio in Nigeria.

For the first time since July 2014, new polio infections were reported in Nigeria. The government has reported two cases of polio to the WHO. Although the goal of worldwide eradication of the pathogens is within reach, this is endangered by infections with polio wild viruses again and again. Now, according to the WHO, a quick response is needed to prevent further infections in Nigeria and neighboring countries.

WHO has reported two new polio cases from Nigeria, a major setback on the path to global pathogen eradication. (Image: jarun011 / fotolia.com)

Nigeria one of the last reserves of polio wild viruses
In 2012, Nigeria was still one of the main areas of polio distribution. More than half of all polio cases worldwide were registered here, according to the WHO communication. Since then, however, the country has made significant progress and since 2014, no new infection has occurred. "This progress was the result of a collective effort from all levels - the government, civil society, religious leaders and tens of thousands of dedicated health workers," WHO reports. Now, however, two children in the northeast of the country have been infected and were admitted with paralysis in clinics.

Improved vaccination campaigns and monitoring
"We are deeply saddened by the news that two Nigerian children have been paralyzed by polio," says Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. Because the signs of paralysis only show up in very few people, which suggests that probably even more children in the region are infected. The top priority now is the immunization of all children. In view of the difficult situation in the northeast of the country, vaccination campaigns have not been able to reach all children. The implementation of large-scale vaccination campaigns and the extension of surveillance systems should therefore be promoted.

The two new infections highlight the need to prioritize immunization of children, even in hard-to-reach areas such as the Chad Lake region, which spans several countries and is often affected by conflict and large population movements, the WHO experts point out.

Rapid extinction of polio in Nigeria possible?
Despite the new cases, Dr. Michel Zaffran, WHO director-general for the fight against polio, confident that, with swift response and close cooperation with the Nigerian government, he will soon be rid of polio "once and for all". The current cases are an important reminder that the world should not become complacent if the eradication of polio is to succeed.

Pathogens of polio almost eliminated worldwide
The goal of polio eradication is almost reached worldwide. Only 21 wild polio cases were reported in 2016 so far, compared to 34 cases in the same period of the previous year, according to the WHO communication. Only in two other countries had polio new infections occurred in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Today, only one of the three types of polio wild viruses circulates in the environment, and polio is history in most parts of the world. Nevertheless, the risk of a renewed spread should not be underestimated in the opinion of the experts. (Fp)