There is a sense of quiet optimism around those working on the Polio Elimination in Nigeria.
By the end of the year the number of new cases detected was down from 782 in 2008 to 388 polio in 2009 and from 30% zero dose (to vaccine) to 17% zero dose for the same period in 2009.
A lot of work…a lot of work is being done by the NPHCDA, MOH, WHO on Polio around the country and we hope that 2010 will bring even more success. We need to get this elephant in the room – OUT – so we can focus on other public health priorities. Until then…the struggle continues.
Details of the state of play end of 2009 are….
A total of 388 WPV cases have been confirmed in Nigeria in 27 states as at 18 December 2009.
A national mOPV3 round was conducted from 31 Jan – 3 Feb, 2009.
A sub-national mOPV1 round was conducted from 28 Feb – 3 Mar 2009.
A national mOPV1 round was conducted from 28 – 31 March 2009.
A national tOPV round was conducted from 30 May – 2 June 2009.
A sub-national mOPV1 round was conducted from 4 – 7 July 2009.
A sub-national tOPV round was conducted from 1 – 4 August 2009.
A sub-national mOPV3 round was conducted from 10 – 13 October 2009; mOPV1 was used in concurrent outbreak response activities in 4 southern states.
A sub-national mOPV1 round was conducted from 21 – 24 November 2009.
The stuggle continues
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has…Margaret Mead