World Vision launches polio campaign

More than 420 children have been vaccinated against polio in Dollow, Somalia. The children received the polio vaccine during the launch of the World Vision polio eradication campaign on Wednesday 18 September 2013. World Vision plans to vaccinate 100,000 children countrywide over the next six months through direct campaigns and through local organizations.

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.

The polio vaccination campaign follows the recent outbreak in Somalia where 160 cases have so far been confirmed across the country. World health Organization declared a polio emergency in August, and is leading the immunization efforts together with respective government agencies and partner organizations such as World Vision.

Speaking during the launch, World Vision Polio Emergency Response Manager, Tobias Oloo urged elders and mothers to continue mobilizing their communities to bring out more children for vaccination.

Oloo also urged the international community to urgently commit funds to support the immunization efforts, as the health teams race against time to reach isolated villages.

“Today, I have seen first hand how hard it is to reach communities living in areas that have virtually no infrastructure” Oloo said.

Most areas of Southern Somalia have not been covered with immunizations over time due to insecurity and poor infrastructure. Even in secure parts, lack of infrastructure remains a huge challenge. This has led to increased high-risk populations.

Over 20,000 children in Dollow district are now faced with new threats after the closure of the only mobile health services in August due to lack of funds. Polio cases have also been reported in Kenya and Ethiopia. In Kenya 13 cases have been reported and one in Ethiopia.