1.1 Introduction
Poliomyelitis is a distinct condition that was identified in 1840 by Jakob Heine, and in 1908, Karl Landsteiner identified its causative agent, poliovirus (Caserta, 2009). Renne, (2010) averred that even though prior to 19th century, major polio epidemics were not know, the most fearful children diseases of the 20th century was polio. A lot of children have been maimed by polio epidemics and so many others have died from this disease.
(2014), asserted that the Polio Virus is extremely communicable disease capable of attacking the nervous organ and in several situations result to Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) and children under 5 years die most times. (2011), claimed that over 400,000 children are infected and maimed annually as at 1988. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) which commenced in 1988 minimized the yearly virus incidence rate at 97% globally the year after via vaccination. Bank, (2015) posits that the four polio endemic countries which Nigeria is one of them, the Northern States in Nigeria serve as major reservoir of the disease. The ranking of the Nigeria general health care performance by WHO 187thamong the 191 member states propelled formulation of policies and framework geared towards revamping the nation’s health sector both at State and Federal (WHO, 2016).
In 1988, Nigeria started polio eradication campaign using the fixed post and house to house strategies on days chosen as National Immunization Days (NIDs) and become fully dedicated to global goal of polio eradication (Ajibade, 2010). The national average reached 40- 60 million children (Yahaya, 2015). Although concerted efforts have been made to eradicating polio in Nigeria, the progress was not sustained and as a result the polio virus was able to make a comeback (WHO, 2016).This calls for active commitment of all stakeholders at all levels, improve quality and coordination of immunization campaigns, sincere commitment of traditional, opinion, religious leaders, community ownership, integrated social mobilization and information dissemination. Therefore, there is a need for strong commitment among all stakeholders to build on previous experiences, provision of high quality manpower, committing more resources, and improve quality and coordination of vaccination program for Nigeria to overcome the current situation. This essay therefore, is intended to look at the reemergence of polio virus in Nigeria.
1.2 Reemergence of Polio in Nigeria
As stated above, Nigeria has made concerted efforts and progress to eradicate polio and was once declared free polio nation. However, the efforts suffered a setback in August 20….. when, after two years free of transmission, two cases of polio reemerged in Borno State, Nigeria, followed by another in September…... A country cannot be declared polio-free until three years have passed with no new cases (WHO, 2016).
Doune Porter, UNICEF Nigeria’s chief of communication, stressed that vaccinations were vital in curtailing the re-emergence of polio in Nigeria and controlling it, saying the new cases were a “huge disappointment” (WHO, & UNICEF, 2017). Porter stressed further that;
“we have to restart the clock and more children need to be accessed with vaccinations as well. Conversely, it is paramount to note that it’s not going back to having huge numbers of polio cases. It doesn’t undo the progress we have made so far since we have come a long way.”
Obadare, (2015), claimed that one major reason for reemergence of polio disease is that large parts of the northern states have been inaccessible to health workers and humanitarian organizations due to the Boko Haram insurgency. Thus this has resulted to a number of children not been immunized in some part of the States. However, the vaccine is relatively simple to administer.
Bristol, (2015), asserted that the people of northern Nigeria where polio is endemic are predominantly Hausas and are found in other West African countries. The Hausas who are majorly Muslims attributed different meaning to the polio virus. Contrary to science, they understand the virus to be a spiritual cause or sickness called Shan-innaby the Hausas. While, in Medical field, is caused by a virus and is preventable through scientific methods of immunization. Bristol (2015), buttressed his argument further that these dissimilarities among the Hausas would only be resolved by aggressive education and awareness as it has led to conflicts of believes which have determinedly contributed acceptance and administering the vaccines.
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