This archive report was first published on 25 August 2020.
On the cusp of a major medical breakthrough, the World Health Organization (WHO) is poised to declare the African continent polio-free, a feat achieved nearly four years after the last reported cases in northeastern Nigeria.
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious and contagious disease that attacks the spinal cord, causing irreversible paralysis in children. Its global prevalence was once widespread, but the introduction of a vaccine in the 1950s marked a significant turning point.
However, the vaccine's availability was hindered by its limited reach in poorer countries in Asia and Africa. In Nigeria, for instance, authorities were forced to suspend vaccination campaigns in 2003 and 2004 due to opposition from Islamic extremists who claimed the vaccine was a conspiracy to sterilize young Muslims.
It took a collaborative effort between governments, traditional chiefs, and religious leaders to convince populations that the vaccine was safe, ultimately saving up to 1.8 million children from lifelong paralysis, according to the WHO.
The official announcement is set to be made at 1500 GMT in a videoconference with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and key figures, including philanthropist Bill Gates.
“Happiness is an understatement. We’ve been on this marathon for over 30 years,” said Tunji Funsho, a Nigerian doctor and local anti-polio coordinator for Rotary International. “It’s a real achievement, I feel joy and relief at the same time,” he added.
While this milestone is a significant achievement, the challenge remains to ensure that no new polio cases arise from Afghanistan or Pakistan and that vaccinations continue to protect children across the continent.
