Health • Created May 14, 2014 13:10

Nigeria sees third polio case in a year

A new case of poliomyelitis has been confirmed in Nigeria, says the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. The case, found in Gujba council area in Yobe state, is the third case in more than a year so far in the country. Confirmation analysis shows it is wildpoliovirus 3—the least virulent type of polio. But […]

Nigeria sees third polio case in a year
Nigeria sees third polio case in a year

A new case of poliomyelitis has been confirmed in Nigeria, says the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

The case, found in Gujba council area in Yobe state, is the third case in more than a year so far in the country.

Confirmation analysis shows it is wildpoliovirus 3—the least virulent type of polio.

But health officials are considering each single case an “emergency,” said the agency’s executive director Dr Ado Muhammad, because of Nigeria’s bid to exit the list of countries where polio is endemic.

Speaking in Abuja, Muhammad said Nigeria was closing on its target to end polio transmission this year.

So far, genetic clusters of the polio virus being dealt with have reduced from eight at its peak of transmission to just one.

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