Chika Onyesi
The World Health
Organization says there is no time for complacency in the fight against polio, despite
the progressive drop in the number of cases since 2016 to 2018.
According to the WHO
Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Africa has made
tremendous progress towards polio eradication as it has been more than two
years since the last case of wild poliovirus was reported.
‘‘As late as 2012, the Region accounted for more than
half of the global polio burden, but polio cases have dropped steadily from 128
cases in 2012, to 4 cases in 2016 to 0 cases in 2017 and 2018.’’
Dr. Moeti tasked
the region to recommit to continually strengthen and maintain surveillance whether
or not a new case of polio is discovered.
‘‘I call upon all Member States to implement
containment of polioviruses and potential polioviruses infectious materials
according to the global action plan (GAP III), in a timely manner, to avoid any
leakage of polioviruses into the environment and populations which could result
in catastrophic outbreaks and reverse the gains towards eradication.’’
Meanwhile the African region has confirmed the emergence
of a vaccine-derived poliovirus in some member states and attributed the spread
to a weak routine immunization services delivery.
But the WHO has assured all member states of its
dedicated support, it however insists that eradication of polio requires political
commitment and adequate resources from affected member states.
No comments:
Post a Comment