New alert as polio spreads in Somalia

Nairobi, 21 August  2013

Even as partners conduct the sixth round of immunizations, confirmed cases of polio in Somalia have jumped to 105 across nine regions of the country. According to the Polio Global Eradication Initiative bulletin dated 16 August 2013, twelve polio cases have also been reported in Kenya and one in Ethiopia in the last three months.

The first reported case of polio occurred in Mogadishu in May this year, before spreading to other regions and neighbouring countries. This came after Somalia had been declared polio free for six years. 

The outbreak continues to pose a great risk to countries across the region. Large-scale population movements and persistent immunity gaps in some areas magnify this risk, the report continued.

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease, which spreads rapidly and mainly affects children. Complications include paralysis that leads to permanent disability and even death. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the poliovirus is transmitted through contaminated water and food, and multiplies in the intestines from where it invades the nervous system.

WHO lists fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs as initial symptoms, though about 90% of victims experience mild or no symptoms..

Millions of children across Somalia are now at risk of life-long polio-paralysis, as the virus spreads across the country that has poor health infrastructure and limited access to health services.

World Vision is involved in the surveillance and Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs) in partnership with WHO and other organizations across Somalia.

Field staff remains on high alert, even though no polio cases have been reported in World Vision project areas so far.