Two fresh infections of wild polio virus have emerged in Borno state, threatening Nigeria's progress toward a polio free status.
It was due to be declared polio free by the World Health Organisation if it made it to July 24 next year without a new case.
The last known infection was July 2014.
Health authorities have been silent about the new cases in Gwarzo and Jere local government areas of Borno.
There had been concern about children on camps for displaced people in Borno missing immunisation as Nigeria struggled to prevent a flare up.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency which coordinates immunisation nationwide cannot respond. Instead officials directed questions to the Federal Ministry of Health.
Health minister Isaac Adewole also declined speaking to Daily Trust, when approached at Family Planning Stakeholders Meeting at Aso Villa Banquet Hall Thursday morning.
It is uncertain how the WHO will handle the resurgence.
WHO and Rotary, which co-funds polio eradication, warned against relaxing surveillance and maintaining commitment.
Last week, a number of civil society organisations raised concern about N12.8 billion immunisation fund yet to be released only four months to the end of 2016.
"We have less than five months to the end of 2016 yet nothing has been released for immunization, for procurement of vaccines and other logistics," said Dr Aminu Magashi, project director for Community Health and Research Initiative, part of the coalition Partnership for Advocacy for Child and Family Health, PACFaH.
"As a nation we cannot continue to depend on development partners to buy the vaccines we need in the country yet we have funds for such purposes in our budget."
http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/breaking-two-fresh-polio-infections-stun-nigeria/158629.html#0drukpeIStcvvJPI.99
It was due to be declared polio free by the World Health Organisation if it made it to July 24 next year without a new case.
The last known infection was July 2014.
Health authorities have been silent about the new cases in Gwarzo and Jere local government areas of Borno.
There had been concern about children on camps for displaced people in Borno missing immunisation as Nigeria struggled to prevent a flare up.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency which coordinates immunisation nationwide cannot respond. Instead officials directed questions to the Federal Ministry of Health.
Health minister Isaac Adewole also declined speaking to Daily Trust, when approached at Family Planning Stakeholders Meeting at Aso Villa Banquet Hall Thursday morning.
It is uncertain how the WHO will handle the resurgence.
WHO and Rotary, which co-funds polio eradication, warned against relaxing surveillance and maintaining commitment.
Last week, a number of civil society organisations raised concern about N12.8 billion immunisation fund yet to be released only four months to the end of 2016.
"We have less than five months to the end of 2016 yet nothing has been released for immunization, for procurement of vaccines and other logistics," said Dr Aminu Magashi, project director for Community Health and Research Initiative, part of the coalition Partnership for Advocacy for Child and Family Health, PACFaH.
"As a nation we cannot continue to depend on development partners to buy the vaccines we need in the country yet we have funds for such purposes in our budget."
http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/breaking-two-fresh-polio-infections-stun-nigeria/158629.html#0drukpeIStcvvJPI.99
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