By Nathelia Bim, NP
Focal Foto
For many people in Western countries, polio is a thing of the past. What most people think of as poliovirus is actually one of three types known as wild poliovirus type 1, type 2, and type 3. Types 2 and 3 have been eradicated. Although rare, different types of the polio virus can occur in countries where sanitation and health care are inconsistent or lacking.
The virus that causes polio can be transmitted through contaminated food and water by the fecal-oral route. The virus starts to multiply in the intestine, and when it enters the circulation and central nervous system, it can cause paralysis.
Significant Health Gains Have Resulted from Efforts to Stop Wildpolio Transmission
Some countries have worked together with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative under the World Health Organization (WHO) to fight against polio. Over the last thirty years, wild poliovirus (WPV) cases dropped by 99 percent. In October 2020, Africa was declared free of wild poliovirus (WPV). As of 2022, only Pakistan and Afghanistan have endemic wild poliovirus. In Kenya, Mozambique, and Niger, the WHO verified in 2019 that outbreaks of poliomyelitis had stopped.
Recently, more attention has been given to circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV) rather than wild poliovirus (WPV) because some population groups are poorly immunized. Thanks to the oral vaccines, for the most part, wild poliovirus is nearly eradicated. For immunizing a large number of people, oral vaccines are relatively inexpensive and easy to administer. This vaccination is highly effective in eradicating polio in these underdeveloped communities that lack sanitary facilities and clean water supply systems. It offers immunity in the intestines using a live, weakened virus.
In Certain Circumstances the Virus Contained in Vaccines Can Cause Outbreaks
This vaccine-derived virus can invade populations that have low immunization and areas with low quality sanitation. Children who are not vaccinated may develop immunity from the secondary spread.
However, after a long duration, the vaccine virus may accumulate mutations and revert back into virulence, especially in communities with low immunity levels. Such alterations can have the capacity to cause paralytic poliomyelitis once again, like the wild poliovirus.
In 2023, Zimbabwe reported about seventeen cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). A mutation of the polio virus that started in an oral vaccine applied in the world eradication program was detected in specimens collected from sewerage. Polio viruses caused by immunizations continue to lead to outbreaks in other African countries, too. The perpetual outbreaks of Africa’s vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) are a constant reminder of why it is still hard to achieve high and long-lasting rates of immunization. Several contributing factors include contaminated water, fear of the vaccines, insufficient routine immunizations and mismanagement of immunization programs, geographical location, and poor sanitation and hygiene practices, among others.
Despite the Complexities of Polio Immunizations, Niger Has Made Strides
Efficient immunization programs, early diagnosis that enables the implementation of appropriate response measures, and extra immunization efforts have helped Niger manage cVDPV outbreaks quite successfully. Since the two cases of cVDPD that were documented in 2023, no new instances of cVDPV have been observed in Niger following widespread immunization campaigns. In addition, primary healthcare programs funded by the government recently saw to it that two million children received polio vaccinations. Boosting surveillance and maintaining ongoing vaccination campaigns may stabilize the area and prevent any potential recurrence.
An Integrated Approach Is Key to Ongoing Progress
The Polio Eradication Strategy for 2022–2026 heavily emphasizes the need for integrated approaches to eradicating polio. These include vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance, and wider programs aimed at enhancing health and well-being among children in high-risk areas. Providing clean water, hygienic facilities, adequate nutrition, and access to basic healthcare are some of the strategies that can prevent mutant poliovirus outbreaks.
By providing Nigerien communities with safe clean water, Wells Bring Hope plays a vital role in helping eliminate polio in Niger, which in turn furthers the goal of a polio-free world.
Sources
http://Poliomyelitis (who.int)
http://Niger Vaccinates 2m Children Against Polio (leadership.ng)
https://www.afro.who.int/news/three-african-countries-halt-polio-outbreaks
http://GPEI Strategy 2022-2026 – GPEI (polioeradication.org)
http://GPEI Strategy 2022-2026 – GPEI (polioeradication.org)
