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23/06/2004
74m Africans must be immunised to halt polio threat, say experts
A massive immunization campaign targeting 74 million children in 22 African countries should be started up following confirmation that a recent polio outbreak has spread to the Darfur region of the Sudan.
Epidemiologists from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have recommended the programme after it was found that five times as many children in West and Central Africa have been paralyzed so far this year compared to the same period last year.
The hardest hit is Nigeria, where 197 children have been paralyzed following the suspension of immunization in the north of the country late last year.
Only two countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Niger and Nigeria, were classified as polio-endemic at the start of last year; now children are paralyzed by the disease in 10 other countries as well.
In Darfur, a child was paralyzed on 20 May, the first confirmed case of polio in Sudan in more than three years. The virus in that case has been identified as closely linked to the virus which has spread through northern Nigeria and Chad recently.
“There is no question that the virus is spreading at an alarming pace,” said Dr David Heymann, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Representative for Polio Eradication.
UNICEF said an extra $100 million is needed to respond to this imminent epidemic. Already $3 billion has spent worldwide since 1998 in an attempt to eradicate polio.
The rapid spread of polio in sub-Saharan Africa is occurring as WHO figures show that the other four of the world’s six polio-endemic countries – Afghanistan, Egypt, India and Pakistan – are on target to be polio-free by the end of the year.
(gmcg)
Epidemiologists from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have recommended the programme after it was found that five times as many children in West and Central Africa have been paralyzed so far this year compared to the same period last year.
The hardest hit is Nigeria, where 197 children have been paralyzed following the suspension of immunization in the north of the country late last year.
Only two countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Niger and Nigeria, were classified as polio-endemic at the start of last year; now children are paralyzed by the disease in 10 other countries as well.
In Darfur, a child was paralyzed on 20 May, the first confirmed case of polio in Sudan in more than three years. The virus in that case has been identified as closely linked to the virus which has spread through northern Nigeria and Chad recently.
“There is no question that the virus is spreading at an alarming pace,” said Dr David Heymann, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Representative for Polio Eradication.
UNICEF said an extra $100 million is needed to respond to this imminent epidemic. Already $3 billion has spent worldwide since 1998 in an attempt to eradicate polio.
The rapid spread of polio in sub-Saharan Africa is occurring as WHO figures show that the other four of the world’s six polio-endemic countries – Afghanistan, Egypt, India and Pakistan – are on target to be polio-free by the end of the year.
(gmcg)
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24 August 2004
Polio outbreak spreads after Nigeria suspends immunisation
The polio outbreak that originated in northern Nigeria after suspension there of immunisation last year has now spread to 12 other countries, according to the UN's health agency.
Polio outbreak spreads after Nigeria suspends immunisation
The polio outbreak that originated in northern Nigeria after suspension there of immunisation last year has now spread to 12 other countries, according to the UN's health agency.
22 October 2003
West African children to be treated after polio outbreak
Hundreds of thousands of health workers began an immunisation campaign today aimed at reaching every child in five West African countries within three days to stop a growing threat of polio, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
West African children to be treated after polio outbreak
Hundreds of thousands of health workers began an immunisation campaign today aimed at reaching every child in five West African countries within three days to stop a growing threat of polio, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
20 February 2004
Anti-polio vaccination programme to target Africa's 63m children
African countries have today begun a massive, synchronized polio immunization campaign which aims to vaccinate 63 million children over the next few days. The programme kicked off one month after an emergency WHO meeting of Health Ministers committed to end polio transmission in 2004.
Anti-polio vaccination programme to target Africa's 63m children
African countries have today begun a massive, synchronized polio immunization campaign which aims to vaccinate 63 million children over the next few days. The programme kicked off one month after an emergency WHO meeting of Health Ministers committed to end polio transmission in 2004.
06 July 2005
Government announces funding for polio eradication
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn has announced a multi-million pound funding package aimed at wiping out polio by early next year.
Government announces funding for polio eradication
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn has announced a multi-million pound funding package aimed at wiping out polio by early next year.
09 August 2004
New 5-in-1 infant vaccination jab unveiled
The government has announced plans for a new five-in-one combined vaccination for babies and children. The new single jab will protect children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and polio. The new vaccine replaces the separate vaccines already administered to babies.
New 5-in-1 infant vaccination jab unveiled
The government has announced plans for a new five-in-one combined vaccination for babies and children. The new single jab will protect children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and polio. The new vaccine replaces the separate vaccines already administered to babies.
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