By MONICA KAYOMBO, Zambia, Lusaka
ZAMBIAN government is set to launch a mass polio vaccination campaign in the first week of March, following the detection of Polio type 2 in the environment.
Ministry of Health Assistant Director of Health Promotions Dr Kalangwa Kalangwa announced this yesterday during a ZNBC update programme.
“The Ministry is working with international partners to prevent the spread of the virus,” Dr Kalangwa said.
Zambia has been recording sporadic polio cases, and the ministry is stepping up surveillance to keep the virus at bay.
Dr Kalangwa emphasized that polio is not curable, but preventable.
He urged parents to allow health workers to administer the oral vaccine to children under five.
“Our health workers will be going to communities and schools to give the vaccine. We appeal to everyone to be accommodating,” he said.
The doctor also stressed the importance of preventive measures, such as drinking clean water, frequent handwashing, and maintaining high hygiene standards.
This announcement follows Acting Minister of Health Cornelius Mweetwa’s recent revelations that Polio virus type 2 had been detected in Lusaka’s environment.
Mr Mweetwa assured that there are no confirmed cases of paralysis associated with the detection, but warned that immediate action is necessary to prevent polio cases and protect public health.
The Southern Africa sub-region is on high alert, with recent polio outbreaks in Malawi linked to Zimbabwe.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause permanent paralysis, primarily affecting young children.
Mr Mweetwa urged the public to play their part in preventing the spread, highlighting that the virus thrives in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate access to clean water.
The government, through the Ministry of Health, is working with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners to contain the situation.
