Yobe reports four new polio cases, ending 3yrs of polio-free status

The Yobe State government has confirmed four new cases of polio in three local government areas, three years after the state was declared free of the disease.

Polio is a virus that may cause paralysis and is easily preventable by the polio vaccine. The disease is transmitted through contaminated water or food, or contact with an infected person.

The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Babagana Kundi-Machina, disclosed this at the launching of a campaign against the disease on Saturday in Machina LGA.

Machina LGA is located near the country’s border with the Niger Republic.

He said: “It is unfortunate that after three years of being certified polio-free, we have recorded a circulating poliovirus outbreak in Bursari, Machina, and Yusufari LGAs.”

He said the state government in collaboration with its partners had launched a state-wide outbreak response and vaccination exercise to address the situation.

The State Coordinator of the World Health Organusation (WHO), Dr. Hamisu Alhassan, pledged the organisation’s support to the effort to contain the outbreak.

He urged the people of the state to adopt preventive measures, including personal and environmental hygiene, handwashing, and immunisation to boost immunity and promote good health, especially among women and children.

The Emir of Machina, Alhaji Bashir Machinama, advised his people to cooperate with the government by accepting the vaccine.