395 cases of Circulating Mutant Poliovirus Type 2 (cMPV2) have been reported across 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NPHCDA however has refuted reported of Wild Polio Virus, WPV anywhere in the country since the last incident in 2016.
Executive Director of the Agency Faisal Shuaib in a statement in Abuja, noted that the cMPV2 outbreak was caused by immunity gaps in children, stressing that suspension of immunisation programmes, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, further created new immunity gaps, leading to new outbreaks.
He also explained that Nigeria and the African region were certified Polio Virus free in 2020, following a certification process by the African Regional Commission for Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication, which spanned three. Till date, there has been no case of WPV anywhere in the country. Shuaib added that the virus thrives in areas with poor sanitation, open defecation, and inadequate access to clean drinking water.
The Executive Director also observed that all the 36 states and FCT have completed at least one novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2) Outbreak Response, OBR.
