Democracy in Nigeria: the challenge of infectious disease control

Ike Anya,Chikwe Ihekweazu

doi:10.3855/t2.2.151

Abstract

Democracy in Nigeria: the challenge of infectious disease control

Highlights

In northern Nigeria in 2003, concerns about vaccine safety, i.e. rumours that the polio vaccine caused sterility, led to a halt in polio immunization. This led to the resurgence of the disease in Nigeria, and the re-infection of several neighbouring countries, setting back the entire global eradication programme [4]
In February 2006, the first case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in domestic birds in Africa was reported from a poultry farm in Nigeria [8]
In 1999 the new civilian government set up a National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA) charged with coordinating various activities related to the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the country

Summary

Introduction

In February 2006, the first case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in domestic birds in Africa was reported from a poultry farm in Nigeria [8]. This led to the resurgence of the disease in Nigeria, and the re-infection of several neighbouring countries, setting back the entire global eradication programme [4]. While the last two years have witnessed a renewed response with reinvigorated vaccination campaigns, the disease has persisted and Nigeria remains one of four countries in which the circulation of the wild poliovirus has never been interrupted, recording the highest number of confirmed polio cases in 2006 and 2007 [5].

Results

Conclusion