A variant of polio, known as vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), which is a rare and mutated form of the virus has reportedly surfaced in Nigeria, about four years after the country was declared polio-free.
The Africa Regional Certification Commission had certified Nigeria polio-free on August 25, 2020, marking a milestone in the global fight against the disease.
But just recently, the country reported cases of cVDPV, which is a variant of the poliovirus that can cause disease in individuals who are not fully vaccinated or have weakened immune systems.
According to health experts, cVDPV is a rare phenomenon that occurs when the weakened poliovirus in oral poliovirus vaccines (OPV), mutates and regains its ability to cause disease. This mutated virus can then spread to others, posing a risk to public health.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, GPEI, a public-private partnership that led the efforts to eradicate polio in Nigeria, expressed concern over the new outbreak.
“While we celebrate the progress made in Nigeria, we must remain vigilant and ensure that we maintain high vaccination coverage to prevent the spread of cVDPV,” the GPEI spokesperson said.
Health officials in the country have launched an investigation into the outbreak and are believed to be working to strengthen vaccination efforts, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates.
“We urge all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children receive a full course of polio vaccines to protect them against this preventable disease,” a health official said.
The outbreak of cVDPV in Nigeria serves as a reminder that the fight against polio is not yet over.
While significant progress has been made globally, with five of the World Health Organization’s six regions now polio-free, ongoing efforts are needed to ensure that all countries remain polio-free.
Meanwhile, health officials are asking the public to remain calm but vigilant, and to take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of cVDPV.
Source: Realnews.
