Abstract
The World Health Organization aims to eradicate wild poliovirus worldwide by the end of 2018. Cameroon and Nigeria, neighboring countries, have been affected by the terrorist and militant activities of the Islamist sect Boko Haram. Impacted regions are mainly the far North of Cameroon and Northern Nigeria. Targets of Boko Haram aggression in these zones include violence against polio workers, disruption of polio immunization campaigns, with consequent reduced access to health care and immunization. In addition to this significant problem, Northern Nigeria has historically seen rejection of polio virus vaccine initiatives. It remains to know how health systems can continue operations against polio in areas where Boko Haram operates. If appropriate measures are not urgently taken, it will be not possible to meet the 2018 goal of polio virus eradication. The response should include specialized immunization activities in conflict zones, will engagement of leaders. Countries should also explore immunization activities by soldiers and military personnel.
Highlights
The human poliovirus, an enterovirus, is the causative agent of polio
Irreversible paralytic polio occurs in 1/200 poliovirus infections
The aim of this paper is to present how Boko Haram activities may impact the plan to eliminate polio and to propose some solutions to avoid outbreaks of polio during and after armed conflicts
Summary
The human poliovirus, an enterovirus, is the causative agent of polio. There are three serotypes of wild poliovirus (WPV) – type 1, type 2, and type 31. Polio is highly infective and mainly affects children under 5 years old. Irreversible paralytic polio occurs in 1/200 poliovirus infections. Among those paralyzed, 5% to 10% die once breathing muscles become compromised[2]. Polio cases have decreased by over 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350,000 cases to 416 reported cases in 2013. The striking reduction is the result of the global effort, launched in 1988, to eradicate the disease[2].
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