The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has confirmed an outbreak of wild polio virus (WPV) in Borno State.
According to a statement from the Assistant Director (Press and Public Relations) at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Olajide Oshundun, the outbreak has affected two children from Gwoza and Jere Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state.
The discovery and confirmation of the outbreak was as a result of strengthened surveillance due to improved accessibility which has been made possible by the recent military action in liberating more communities in the northeastern part of the country.
The minister said the detection of children paralysed by polio shows that surveillance has increased with more access but it is a reminder that the country needs to remain vigilant and immunise all eligible children with polio vaccine until polio is completely eradicated worldwide.
‘’Our overriding priority right now is to rapidly boost immunity in the affected areas to ensure that no more children are affected by this terrible disease,’’ he added.
To this end, the minister has directed the deployment of a national emergency response team, comprising government and partners to Borno State for immediate and robust polio vaccination campaign, targeting eligible children to prevent the spread of the virus locally and internationally.
