Polio Briefing Points - Nigeria
Polio Briefing Points - Nigeria
Northern Nigeria continues to account for the majority of global cases of polio and more than 90 percent of all cases in Africa.
As of January 9th, Nigeria reported 1,062 cases in 2006 out of a global total of 1,874. Six states including Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Zamfara - remain the global epicenter of this crippling and potentially fatal disease.
Yet, despite these challenges, progress is being made toward a polio-free Nigeria.
With added health benefits to polio immunizations such as measles and DPT vaccinations, bed-nets, de-worming tablets, and Vitamin-A, Immunization Plus Days (or IPDs) have substantially reduced the proportion of missed children.
Due to this new approach launched by the government in 2006, there has been, in some cases, a dramatic increase in community acceptance of the polio vaccine and engagement of local communities and leaders.
As a result, the number of children that had never before been immunized against polio in Northern Nigeria fell from 50 to 20 percent. There is even some evidence of its impact on slowing the spread of the poliovirus.
There is much at stake in this region and worldwide, as the risk of international spread of the poliovirus from Nigeria to other countries in Africa and beyond remains high.
Since 2003, 1,407 children in 21 previously polio-free countries were paralyzed by the poliovirus originating from northern Nigeria. These outbreaks cost more than US$400 million to control . not to mention incalculable misery.
Rotary International's contribution of US$27.4 million since 2003 helped overcome some of these obstacles, yet US$74 million is still needed for Nigeria in 2007 and 2008.
Since 1985, Rotary's total contribution as the leading private sector donor to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is US$616 million, including US$47.1 million to support polio eradication efforts in Nigeria.
The financial commitment of Rotary and others, along with the involvement of local Rotarians in social mobilization and surveillance was crucial in achieving the progress made to date.
Whether knocking on doors during house-to-house campaigns or staffing immunization posts, Nigeria's nearly 4,000 Rotary members will be out in force during the IPDs in January.
Many will travel to the northern states to help vaccinate children at fixed posts, and then will go house-to-house to make sure no child is missed.
As of January 9th, Nigeria reported 1,062 cases in 2006 out of a global total of 1,874. Six states including Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Zamfara - remain the global epicenter of this crippling and potentially fatal disease.
Yet, despite these challenges, progress is being made toward a polio-free Nigeria.
With added health benefits to polio immunizations such as measles and DPT vaccinations, bed-nets, de-worming tablets, and Vitamin-A, Immunization Plus Days (or IPDs) have substantially reduced the proportion of missed children.
Due to this new approach launched by the government in 2006, there has been, in some cases, a dramatic increase in community acceptance of the polio vaccine and engagement of local communities and leaders.
As a result, the number of children that had never before been immunized against polio in Northern Nigeria fell from 50 to 20 percent. There is even some evidence of its impact on slowing the spread of the poliovirus.
There is much at stake in this region and worldwide, as the risk of international spread of the poliovirus from Nigeria to other countries in Africa and beyond remains high.
Since 2003, 1,407 children in 21 previously polio-free countries were paralyzed by the poliovirus originating from northern Nigeria. These outbreaks cost more than US$400 million to control . not to mention incalculable misery.
Rotary International's contribution of US$27.4 million since 2003 helped overcome some of these obstacles, yet US$74 million is still needed for Nigeria in 2007 and 2008.
Since 1985, Rotary's total contribution as the leading private sector donor to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is US$616 million, including US$47.1 million to support polio eradication efforts in Nigeria.
The financial commitment of Rotary and others, along with the involvement of local Rotarians in social mobilization and surveillance was crucial in achieving the progress made to date.
Whether knocking on doors during house-to-house campaigns or staffing immunization posts, Nigeria's nearly 4,000 Rotary members will be out in force during the IPDs in January.
Many will travel to the northern states to help vaccinate children at fixed posts, and then will go house-to-house to make sure no child is missed.