The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Nigeria is on the brink of being declared free of wild Polio Virus.
This follows the acceptance of the country’s completed documentation by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC). “It is a historic day for Nigeria, Africa and the Global Polio Programme” the WHO Africa regional office declared on its official twitter handle, @WHOAFRO.
Polio (also known as poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Children younger than 5 years old are more likely to contract the virus than any other group.
Polio had been eradicated across the globe except in Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Executive Director of Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr. Faisal Shuaib, in a tweet at @drfaisalshuaib described the development as amazing. “NPHCDA and partners demonstrated evidence of our polio free status.” He tweeted.
