Nigeria celebrates two years of being polio-free

Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari has commended his country for going two years without a reported case of the poliovirus.

Today marks two years since the last case of wild poliovirus was reported in Nigeria. I congratulate all who have made this possible

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) July 24, 2016

Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease that affects mainly children and causes paralysis of the limbs. Nigeria reported more than half the world’s cases in 2012 creating a lot of panic which prompted swift response.

The president, in a tweet on Sunday, said the country awaits certification from the World Health Organisation in 2017 declaring the country polio-free.

The next major milestone for us as a country is the certification of polio-free status in 2017 by the World Health Organisation WHO

— Muhammadu Buhari (MBuhari) July 24, 2016

This certification can be attained when the country records not even a single case by July 2017. Nigeria was removed from the polio endemic-list in September 2015.

“We’re committed to making the certification a reality, by supporting routine immunization, and revitalizing our primary health care system,” President Buhari assured.

Polio is preventable by administering the polio vaccine over a period of time. The disease is spread from person to person through ingesting fecal matter or food and water containing the fecal matter.

In up to 70% of polio infections, there are no symptoms but gradual development of muscle weakness leading to paralysis.