By MONICA KAYOMBO, Zambia, Lusaka
MINISTRY of Health in Zambia yesterday announced the isolation and confirmation of Poliovirus type 2 from an environmental sample in Lusaka, prompting the activation of emergency response mechanisms.
And the World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative in Zambia, Clement Lasuba, has commended the Ministry of Health and the Zambian Government for the rapid alert and response mechanism. He said WHO and other stakeholders, including UNICEF, stand ready to support the Zambian Government in coming up with an immediate and effective response.
Dr. Lasuba said the alert by the Ministry of Health would help in coming up with appropriate interventions and mechanisms in preventing the spread of the Polio viral diseases.
Yesterday, acting Minister of Health Cornelius Mweetwa, who is also Government Chief Spokesperson, announced during a press briefing that the finding was confirmed through laboratory analysis following routine environmental and clinical surveillance activities by local and international health parties.
“The situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern that carries high potential risk of spread jeopardising the health of many children reversing the gains that the country and Africa has been making in eliminating Polio,” he said.
Mr. Mweetwa said at present, there are no confirmed cases of paralysis associated with the current detection. The Minister said the presence of polio virus in the environment is an indication that the virus is circulating within the community, and immediate action is required to prevent any cases of polio and safeguard public health.
He said that the Southern Africa sub-region is on high alert following two recent isolation polioviruses in Malawi linked with the previous transmission in Zimbabwe. Mr. Mweetwa said the isolated cases detected in Lusaka closely matched one that had previously been detected in Namibia which in turn was linked to Angola.
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children and can result in permanent paralysis. The finding was confirmed through laboratory analysis following routine environmental and clinical surveillance activities.
Mr. Mweetwa has since warned members of the public to play their part, adding that the Polio virus thrives in areas with poor sanitation, open defecation, and inadequate access to clean drinking water. He said the Government, through the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners, are working round the clock to contain the situation.
