Re: Nigeria: 2011/2012 Polio cases
Polio this week - As of 21 Aug 2012
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Nigeria
Two new cases were reported in the past week (both WPV1s from Katsina), bringing the total number of cases for 2012 to 72.
The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 23 July (WPV1 from Kaduna).
The next Immunization Plus Days (IPDs) have been postponed by one week, and will now be held from 23-26 September.
Planning is focusing on further sensitizing microplans; scaling up geographic information systems (GIS) technology to more
accurately monitor vaccination team movements against pre-prepared microplans; further engaging traditional leaders; further
integrating the new staff capacity which has been built up over the past months; and, targeting activities including to reach
Nomadic populations in 40 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in ten states.
The strategic recommendations by surveillance medical officers (SMOs) from India who had recently observed activities in
Nigeria are being fully integrated into preparations for the next IPDs.
In response to the recently-detected WPV3 case in Taraba (onset of paralysis on 5 July), a mop-up is being conducted this
weekend in four wards in the vicinity of the affected area. This will be followed by a state-wide response over the coming
weeks.
His Excellency the Governor of Taraba has pledged his full support for response activities
Northern Nigeria is now the global epicentre of WPV3 transmission. Of 17 WPV3 cases reported this year, 15 are from northern
Nigeria.
Insecurity remains a challenge in parts of the country, notably in Borno and Yobe states, particularly in the capital cities of both
of these states. Reviews of microplans have been postponed in the capital cities due to the insecurity situation. An assessment
of the impact of the situation on polio activities is ongoing.
Given the recent increase in cases in Katsina state (14 cases this year, 8 of which since May), the possibility of conducting
immunization campaigns across the border in Niger is being explored, to minimize the risk and consequences of polio spread
from Katsina. Niger will participate in planned, multi-country immunization campaigns in October and November (see ?West
Africa? section below for more), but limited activities in border areas, possibly in conjunction with the September IPDs in Nigeria,
would further mitigate risk.
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