The Federal Government has denied reports alleging that there is a new outbreak of Wild Polio Virus in some states of the country but admits having about 395 cases of Circulating Mutant Polio Virus Type 2 (cMPV2) across 27 states and the FCT.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency Faisal Shuiab and made available to Channel Network Afrique (CNA) insisted that there was no case of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) reported anywhere in the country since the last case in 2016.
According to the ED, Nigeria and the African region were certified Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free in 2020, following a rigorous verification and certification process by the African Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (ARCC) which spanned three years of no detection of WPV.
Mr. Shuaib while emphasising that there has been no case of WPV anywhere in the country since the certification said, Circulating Mutant Polio Virus Type2 (cMPV2) outbreaks are caused by immunity gaps in children due to several reasons, including low routine immunization coverage, and missing children during immunization campaigns.
He said the suspension of several polio campaigns and other health programmes in 2020 as well as disruptions to routine immunization due to COVID-19 pandemic created further immunity gaps which led to new and wider outbreaks which further increased transmission of the circulating mutant poliovirus both globally and within Nigeria.
The statement further had the NPHCDA boss stating that the viruses thrive in areas with poor sanitation, open defecation, and inadequate access to clean drinking water.
“These have allowed the virus to be easily transmitted from one person to another through contaminated water and poor sewage disposal.
“Malnutrition occasioned by increasing poverty is also a predisposing factor in exposed children.
“These non-wild polio viruses which originated because of normal changes in the reproduction of viruses in the environment are not as virulent as WPV and are also being reported in many other countries” he said.
He said working with Donors and Development Partners, Nigeria has already acquired new tools and resources to ensure the outbreaks are contained through very robust outbreak responses using the novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV2) which has been shown to be effective in halting the spread of the cMPV2.
The ED, indicated that all 36 States and FCT have completed at least one OPV2 Outbreak Response (OBR) adding that several other rounds of the OBR as well as other campaigns to improve the mucosal immunity of children aged o-5 years old using Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV) have also been planned for this year.
He however, assures Nigerians that the Agency will continue to conduct surveillance and vaccination campaigns to prevent and contain any possible importation of the Wild Polio Virus into the country.
