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Health alert: In addition to diphtheria, a new epidemic reported in Upper Guinea...
CONAKRY- While the diphtheria epidemic raging in Upper Guinea is struggling to be contained, another has just been reported in Kankan, capital of the administrative region. This is a polio epidemic which has just been declared by the health authorities in the region.
“ At the moment we have an outbreak of vaccine-derived polio, because it is the same type of virus that is prevalent in Siguiri and Mandiana, where the first cases were also detected. It is an epidemic that is declared now, although it is not yet official, but in terms of epidemiological surveillance, as soon as there is a confirmed case, it is already an epidemic. To date, we have recorded three proven cases of polio. Steps are being taken to remedy this ,” announces a Kankan health official.
In addition to these polio cases, Dr Oumar Touré says that to date, three cases of diphtheria infection have been reported in Kankan. According to the WHO, around fifty deaths due to diphtheria have been recorded. The vaccination campaign launched by the authorities has not yet been able to stem the spread of the disease.
“ Regarding diphtheria, for Kankan, we have confirmed three cases. Diphtheria had almost been forgotten because it was thought that routine vaccination of children had eradicated it. However, as they are epidemics, they can sometimes reappear in more serious forms. This means that all mothers with unvaccinated children should accompany them to health centers to get them vaccinated ,” he explains.
The disease manager at the Kankan prefectural health directorate ensures that measures are being taken to eradicate these diseases. This is why he calls for the involvement of citizens to eradicate these epidemics.
“It is essential that mothers agree to have their children vaccinated against these viruses. As soon as the first signs of a throat problem appear in the child, antibiotic treatment must be started or taken to a health center so that the case is notified,” he said.
It is important to remember that polio is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can lead to permanent paralysis. It is transmitted mainly through contaminated water or infected stools.
From Kankan, Facely Sanoh
Regional Correspondent Africaguinee.com
In Kankan
Tel: (+224) 623 75 80 95
Created on Wednesday October 25, 2023 8:56
https://www.africaguinee.com/alerte...e-nouvelle-epidemie-signalee-en-haute-guinee/
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Crusade against poliomyelitis in Guinea: The Government and its partners launch the first round of the vaccination campaign...
CONAKRY- In collaboration with its technical and financial partners such as UNICEF and GAVI, the Guinean Government, through the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, launched this Thursday, October 26, the first round of the vaccination campaign against poliomyelitis.
In the program, this campaign will reach more than 3,000,000 children aged 0 to 5 throughout the country. The official launch ceremony of this vaccination campaign took place at the Communal Medical Center ''Les Flamboyants'', in the commune of Ratoma.
The launch of activities for the first round of national polio vaccination days takes place in a particular context for Guinea, because the country has recorded since August 9, 2023, 11 cases of circulating type 2 poliovirus variant poliomyelitis. That's not all, in addition to poliomyelitis, other epidemics such as diphtheria and whooping cough continue to claim victims in several localities within the country.
During this day, several vaccinators were deployed in the field to give this dose to the children concerned. In his speech, the Vice Mayor of Ratoma, on behalf of the Mayor of the Commune, reassured the health department of the availability of all elected officials in this constituency to help facilitate the work of vaccinators in the field. “You will find the commune of Ratoma ready to seize this opportunity to support the efforts of the ministry and the entire government ,” promised Abdoul Salam Sow.
For his part, the Acting Director of Health of the city of Conakry, stressed the importance of this vaccination for these children. “This campaign is an opportunity for us to maximize our children's chance of being protected against this pathology which is both fatal and disabling for life for others ,” explained Dr Mamoudou Sangaré.
Speaking on behalf of technical and financial partners, Jean-Marie Kipela, noted that despite the progress made in recent years, the epidemiological situation nevertheless remains worrying. According to this framework from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2023, around twenty countries in the WHO African region, including Guinea, experienced polio outbreaks with 288 cases confirmed through surveillance. acute flaccid paralysis.
According to Jean Marie Kipela, in epidemic situations, the WHO recommends to Member States the implementation of effective strategies, in particular the organization of quality response campaigns, the strengthening of surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis in order to quickly detect any new importation of viruses and facilitate a rapid response, the maintenance of vaccination coverage in order to strengthen population immunity, the supply of quality vaccines of sufficient quality to cover the entire target.
By launching this campaign, the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene first clarified the ambition of the Guinean government in this first round of vaccination.
“The aim is to have a maximum campaign from now on. The objective is to reach more than 3 million children aged 0 to 59 months and protect them from serious and disabling illnesses. There will also be a catch-up campaign to find and vaccinate all children with zero doses and also vaccinate children to prevent diphtheria and other diseases ,” said Dr Mamadou Pèthé Diallo.
For the success of this vaccination campaign, the minister requests the involvement of all stakeholders, particularly wise people and local elected officials, because according to him, vaccination is the best lethal weapon against poliomyelitis.
Remember that this campaign will be used to vaccinate children with the pentavalent vaccine, as part of the strategies adopted to respond to outbreaks of diphtheria and whooping cough.
Oumar Bady Diallo
For Africaguinee.com
Created on Friday October 27, 2023 3:00
https://www.africaguinee.com/croisa...nt-le-1er-tour-de-la-campagne-de-vaccination/
Health alert: In addition to diphtheria, a new epidemic reported in Upper Guinea...
CONAKRY- While the diphtheria epidemic raging in Upper Guinea is struggling to be contained, another has just been reported in Kankan, capital of the administrative region. This is a polio epidemic which has just been declared by the health authorities in the region.
“ At the moment we have an outbreak of vaccine-derived polio, because it is the same type of virus that is prevalent in Siguiri and Mandiana, where the first cases were also detected. It is an epidemic that is declared now, although it is not yet official, but in terms of epidemiological surveillance, as soon as there is a confirmed case, it is already an epidemic. To date, we have recorded three proven cases of polio. Steps are being taken to remedy this ,” announces a Kankan health official.
In addition to these polio cases, Dr Oumar Touré says that to date, three cases of diphtheria infection have been reported in Kankan. According to the WHO, around fifty deaths due to diphtheria have been recorded. The vaccination campaign launched by the authorities has not yet been able to stem the spread of the disease.
“ Regarding diphtheria, for Kankan, we have confirmed three cases. Diphtheria had almost been forgotten because it was thought that routine vaccination of children had eradicated it. However, as they are epidemics, they can sometimes reappear in more serious forms. This means that all mothers with unvaccinated children should accompany them to health centers to get them vaccinated ,” he explains.
The disease manager at the Kankan prefectural health directorate ensures that measures are being taken to eradicate these diseases. This is why he calls for the involvement of citizens to eradicate these epidemics.
“It is essential that mothers agree to have their children vaccinated against these viruses. As soon as the first signs of a throat problem appear in the child, antibiotic treatment must be started or taken to a health center so that the case is notified,” he said.
It is important to remember that polio is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can lead to permanent paralysis. It is transmitted mainly through contaminated water or infected stools.
From Kankan, Facely Sanoh
Regional Correspondent Africaguinee.com
In Kankan
Tel: (+224) 623 75 80 95
Created on Wednesday October 25, 2023 8:56
https://www.africaguinee.com/alerte...e-nouvelle-epidemie-signalee-en-haute-guinee/
----------------------------------------------------
Crusade against poliomyelitis in Guinea: The Government and its partners launch the first round of the vaccination campaign...
CONAKRY- In collaboration with its technical and financial partners such as UNICEF and GAVI, the Guinean Government, through the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, launched this Thursday, October 26, the first round of the vaccination campaign against poliomyelitis.
In the program, this campaign will reach more than 3,000,000 children aged 0 to 5 throughout the country. The official launch ceremony of this vaccination campaign took place at the Communal Medical Center ''Les Flamboyants'', in the commune of Ratoma.
The launch of activities for the first round of national polio vaccination days takes place in a particular context for Guinea, because the country has recorded since August 9, 2023, 11 cases of circulating type 2 poliovirus variant poliomyelitis. That's not all, in addition to poliomyelitis, other epidemics such as diphtheria and whooping cough continue to claim victims in several localities within the country.
During this day, several vaccinators were deployed in the field to give this dose to the children concerned. In his speech, the Vice Mayor of Ratoma, on behalf of the Mayor of the Commune, reassured the health department of the availability of all elected officials in this constituency to help facilitate the work of vaccinators in the field. “You will find the commune of Ratoma ready to seize this opportunity to support the efforts of the ministry and the entire government ,” promised Abdoul Salam Sow.
For his part, the Acting Director of Health of the city of Conakry, stressed the importance of this vaccination for these children. “This campaign is an opportunity for us to maximize our children's chance of being protected against this pathology which is both fatal and disabling for life for others ,” explained Dr Mamoudou Sangaré.
Speaking on behalf of technical and financial partners, Jean-Marie Kipela, noted that despite the progress made in recent years, the epidemiological situation nevertheless remains worrying. According to this framework from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2023, around twenty countries in the WHO African region, including Guinea, experienced polio outbreaks with 288 cases confirmed through surveillance. acute flaccid paralysis.
According to Jean Marie Kipela, in epidemic situations, the WHO recommends to Member States the implementation of effective strategies, in particular the organization of quality response campaigns, the strengthening of surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis in order to quickly detect any new importation of viruses and facilitate a rapid response, the maintenance of vaccination coverage in order to strengthen population immunity, the supply of quality vaccines of sufficient quality to cover the entire target.
By launching this campaign, the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene first clarified the ambition of the Guinean government in this first round of vaccination.
“The aim is to have a maximum campaign from now on. The objective is to reach more than 3 million children aged 0 to 59 months and protect them from serious and disabling illnesses. There will also be a catch-up campaign to find and vaccinate all children with zero doses and also vaccinate children to prevent diphtheria and other diseases ,” said Dr Mamadou Pèthé Diallo.
For the success of this vaccination campaign, the minister requests the involvement of all stakeholders, particularly wise people and local elected officials, because according to him, vaccination is the best lethal weapon against poliomyelitis.
Remember that this campaign will be used to vaccinate children with the pentavalent vaccine, as part of the strategies adopted to respond to outbreaks of diphtheria and whooping cough.
Oumar Bady Diallo
For Africaguinee.com
Created on Friday October 27, 2023 3:00
https://www.africaguinee.com/croisa...nt-le-1er-tour-de-la-campagne-de-vaccination/