The Yobe State Government has verified the occurrence of four fresh instances of polio within three Local Government Areas, marking a setback happening three years after the region achieved polio-free status.
Dr. Babagana Kundi-Machina, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, made the announcement during the launch of an anti-polio campaign in Machina, a neighboring Local Government Area to Niger Republic, on the weekend.
He reported that the State Government, alongside its associates, had initiated a comprehensive outbreak response and vaccination program across the state to combat the situation.
Dr. Kundi-Machina remarked, “It is regrettable that, subsequent to being certified polio-free for three years, we are now faced with an outbreak of the poliovirus in Bursari, Machina, and Yusufari LGAs.”
Dr. Hamisu Alhassan, the State Coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO), assured the WHO’s backing to the state in controlling the outbreak. He encouraged the populace to embrace preventative measures such as maintaining personal and environmental cleanliness, practicing regular handwashing, and taking vaccinations to enhance immunity and advocate well-being, particularly among women and children.
Additionally, Alhaji Bashir Machinama, the Emir of Machina, petitioned his subjects to collaborate with the government by welcoming the vaccination effort.
He conveyed his gratitude to the State Government for its prompt actions and promised to educate his community on taking appropriate measures to contain the disease.
