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Anambra State government has announced a poliovirus outbreak response effort, with a focus on reaching out to over 2.6 million children in the 0-59 months age group.
Afam Obidike, the Commissioner for Health in the state, disclosed this information on Friday during the launch of the vaccination campaign in Awka.
The implementation of the campaign falls under the joint efforts of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA), the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
A circulating variant of poliovirus type-2 has been identified in a child within the Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, as reported by the Enugu State Primary Health Development Agency.
Mr Obidike said, ‘We are responding to the outbreak of poliovirus in a neighbouring town, Nkanu West, in Enugu State.’
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‘We have not recorded any case in Anambra, but the natural thing to do is to increase our vaccination to prevent the spread to the state.’
He encouraged parents and guardians to take responsibility for ensuring their children are vaccinated against polio.
‘We have also mobilised 660 fixed posts across the state, and we hope to reach and vaccinate about 2.64 million children to reduce the risk of polio spread in the state,’ he stated.
Also speaking, Adamu Abdul-Nasir, state coordinator, WHO, appreciated the state government for its political will and proactive measures in preventing the polio virus from spreading to the state.
Adamu Abdul-Nasir state coordinator, WHO, also commended the state government for its political will and preventive measures against the polio Virus in the state.
‘These few days, we will go all out to churches, mosques, schools and the nook and crannies of the state to look for children and get them vaccinated,’ she said.
