Four Years After Eradication, Wild Poliovirus Detected In Borno

Four years after the World Health Organisation declared Nigeria wild poliovirus-free, a related case has been detected in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria. 

The state's Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Malam-Gana, confirmed the outbreak following rumours circulating within the state.

“We have discovered a single case of wild circulating polio,” said Prof. Malam-Gana. 

The commissioner clarified that the case was detected through a laboratory analysis of a sewage sample, not from a human. 

He emphasised that people should not be alarmed as the reported case did not originate from a human-borne outbreak.

Prof. Malam-Gana added that Borno State is not the only area experiencing isolated wild poliovirus cases, as similar incidents have occurred in other parts of Nigeria.

Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by the wild poliovirus, primarily transmitted through the faecal-oral route, predominantly affecting children under five. 

One of the devastating consequences of polio is irreversible paralysis, which occurs in approximately one in 200 cases, according to the World Health Organization.

Tragically, 5 to 10 per cent of those paralysed succumb to the disease when their breathing muscles are immobilised.
Before Nigeria was declared wild poliovirus-free in August 2020, the northeastern state recorded its last case in August 2016, marking it approximately two years since the last confirmed case in Africa was reported.

While the situation is being closely monitored, Prof. Malam-Gana has reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for concern, stating, "It is not something to worry about for now as we are on top of the situation."