POLIO ERADICATION PROGRAMME IN NIGERIA: THE CURRENT SITUATION

Abstract

Transmission of wild poliovirus (WPV) continues uninterrupted in only three countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan). Nigeria is one of the remaining 3 endemic countries in the world that has never interrupted the transmission of the poliovirus compared to more than 125 countries since 1988 when the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched. The present study established the current situation of polio eradication in Nigeria. Nigeria has made tremendous strides towards eliminating polio and was declared polio free until August and September 2016, where four type 1 WPV (WPV1) cases were reported from northeastern Nigeria, Borno State, which is currently experiencing violent insurgency. The humanitarian crisis in the North-East, Circulating Vaccine-Derived Polioviruses transmission, resistance to accepting vaccination during scheduled campaigns among other factors have hindered the efforts of polio eradication I the country. However, sustained focus towards getting rid of all types of poliovirus by improving population immunity and enhancing disease surveillance will be needed to ensure it sustains the polio-free status in 2019.