MINISTRY OF HEALTH SOMALILAND
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, June 13, 2013
The first confirmed case of the Wild
Polio Virus (WP1) in Somalia since 2007 has been reported in Mogadishu on May 9th,
2013.
Since then fourteen (14) WPV cases have been reported and also two (2)WPV
cases in Kenya. Experts have warned the outbreak could spread to neighbouring
countries and a surveillance alert for polio has been issued to all countries
across the Horn of Africa. There is a great risk that the disease can reaches
Somaliland.Globally, three countries remain polio endemic (Nigeria, Pakistan
and Afghanistan). As long as Polio exists anywhere in the world, all children
are at risk from polio if not vaccinated.
Poliomyelitis (Polio) is a highly
infectious disease caused by the polio virus which invades the nervous system,
and can cause irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs) or even death in a
matter of hours. The polio virus enters through the mouth, in water or food
contaminated with faecal material from infected person. The virus multiplies in
the intestine and is execreted by the infected person in faeces, which can pass
on the virus to others.
There is no cure for polio but can be
prevented through giving children several doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine. The
vaccine is essential protection for children and we urge all
parents/mothers/caregivers to make sure that their children under the ages of
five needs to be vaccinated now. The vaccine is available at
all health centres and will be made available during the National Immunization
Days (NIDs) exercise also. The vaccinators will be coming to house to immunize
your children.
Dates
for next National immunization Days (NIDs) Somaliland:
- 16-19, June, 2013
- 1-4, July, 2013
- 18-21, August, 2013
- 16-19, December, 2013