WHO warns of polio epidemic as virus spreads rapidly across Africa

GENEVA, June 22 (AFP) — Central and west Africa are on the brink of the largest polio epidemic in recent years, the World Health Organisation warned after the disease appeared to have spread from Nigeria to Sudan’s strife-torn Darfur region.

A child found paralysed by polio in Darfur on May 20 was confirmed to have a form of the virus which is closely linked to the one that is endemic in northern Nigeria, the WHO said in a statement.

“Epidemiologists of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have today issued a stark warning that west and central Africa is on the brink of the largest polio epidemic in recent years,” the statement said.

The disease had spread through neighbouring Chad in recent months, and transmission of the wild polio virus in the region “continues to accelerate at an alarming rate”, it added.

Health experts fear that thousands of African children could be paralysed for life if a major epidemic takes hold in the autumn “high season” for polio.

“There is no question that the virus is spreading at an alarming rate,” said David Heymann, the WHO’s polio eradication chief.

Polio has not been seen in Sudan for at least three years following successful mass vaccination campaigns.

But the global drive against the disease has been thwarted by the refusal of state authorities in Kano, northern Nigeria to allow polio immunisation, opening up a gaping hole in the WHO’s effort.