WHO: 51 new cases of variant poliovirus recorded in Nigeria

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says 51 new cases of circulating variant poliovirus (cVPV2) have been recorded in Nigeria from January to August 2023.

Walter Mulombo, the WHO country representative in Nigeria, who spoke in Kaduna on Thursday, said 47 of the 51 cases were recorded in the north-west.

The retreat was organised by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for traditional leaders of inaccessible communities, in collaboration with the Sultan Foundation.

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. The disease invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis within hours.

The virus is transmitted from person to person mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, through contaminated water or food, and multiplies in the intestine.

While there is no cure for polio, the disease can be prevented through the administration of a simple and effective vaccine.

On August 25, 2020, the Africa Regional Certification Commission (ARCC) for polio eradication officially declared Nigeria free of indigenous wild poliovirus.

But there have been outbreaks of other polio variants such as the circulating variant poliovirus (cVPV2) and the circulating mutant poliovirus type two (cMPV2), attributed to immunity gaps in children.

Also speaking at the event, Faisal Shuaib, executive director of the NPHCDA, confirmed that  cVPV2 has been detected in 28 states across the country.

Shuaib said the NPHCDA and the federal ministry of health remain steadfast in their efforts to halt the transmission of cVPV2 by December 2023.

“Nigeria was declared polio-free in 2020 because we followed useful directives to the letter. Everyone supports ensuring that polio is eradicated. We can then use this platform to build a stronger routine immunisation and primary health care (PHC) system,” he said.

“Polio, an ancient and relentless foe, has tested our resilience for decades. But we have not faltered; we have not surrendered.

“Together, we fought many battles until we won the war against Wild Polio Virus. Now, the time has come to overcome its counterpart known as cVPV2.

“We have the tools, the knowledge, the experience and the unwavering spirit to achieve this monumental task. Your leadership can accelerate our progress.”