A vaccination campaign for polio, originally scheduled for November, was delayed due to severe rainfall and flooding. It is now being carried out in three counties in northeastern Kenya that are at high risk for the disease. This decision was made after 13 cases of the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (CVDPV2) were reported in the region last year.

This is the third phase of administering polio vaccination to the high-risk counties of Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa.

According to the government of Kenya and its collaborators, the aim is to provide vaccinations for approximately 750,000 children under five years old. In addition, around 238,000 children between the ages of 6 and 15 in specific regions will also receive vaccinations.

The director of health for Garissa County, Aden Ibrahim, clarifies.

In June 2023, the initial case involved a child from Somalia who fell ill and sought treatment at a healthcare facility. The child was tested due to their symptoms and was ultimately diagnosed with a positive case of polio, according to the speaker.

Afterwards, Ibrahim reported that additional cases had been identified in certain refugee camps.

“According to the speaker, there were 13 documented instances of polio in the Hagadera camps last year. As a result, 3 rounds of campaign were deemed necessary, with two rounds occurring last year and one scheduled for November of last year.”

However, the November edition was postponed as a result of severe rainfall and floods, resulting in 130 fatalities and 89,000 individuals being displaced.

Several countries in Africa, including Kenya and Burundi, have recently seen a resurgence of polio after being free of the disease for many years. Last year, Burundi had 16 cases and as of August 2023, the World Health Organization has reported 187 confirmed cases of circulating variant poliovirus in 21 African countries.

Ibrahim stated that several factors, such as limited access to healthcare, conflicts and instability in certain nations, and the impact of climate change, have contributed to this ongoing issue.

According to him, polio is primarily spread through the mouth and feces, and the effects of climate change, such as drought and lack of water, contribute to poor sanitation.

The region of Horn of Africa was recently affected by a severe drought, the worst in many years.

Ibrahim suggests that in order to eliminate the illness, countries must enhance their routine immunization efforts, allocate resources towards a strong surveillance system, and enhance their healthcare systems.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), polio is a contagious and crippling illness that primarily impacts children under the age of 5, resulting in permanent paralysis. It is estimated that 2 to 10 percent of those affected by polio may also experience fatal outcomes.