The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday declared Nigeria polio-free.

Nigeria is the last country to eradicate the virus which makes Africa free from the virus.

Only seven years ago, WHO reported that Nigeria accounted for more than half of polio cases worldwide.

Polio according to Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus.

The virus has no cure but can be prevented by vaccination called inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).

President Muhammadu Buhari reacts

The President of Nigeria in a tweet commended those who had contributed in achieving the milestone and appreciated the support of WHO, UNICEF, ROTARY, Gates Foundation, CDC, Aliko Dangote Foundation to mention a few, and urged that “we must continue to build trust between Government institutions, leaders and citizens so that we can unite as people and confront the health and socio-economic challenges we face.

Polio in Nigeria

Nigeria began its fight against polio in 1996. The Nigeria Health Watch in 1996 shared that “of the 1,949 polio cases reported in Africa, Nigeria alone accounted for 942 or 48.3%.” In 2003 Nigeria accounted for 83.7% of polio cases in Nigeria.

WHO’s response

The public health agency said that “Nigeria has made remarkable progress against polio, but continued vigilance is needed to protect these gains and ensure that polio will not return.”

The WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said “the outstanding commitment and efforts that got Nigeria off the endemic list must continue, to keep Africa polio-free,” she further urged that “we must support the efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan so they join the polio-free world.”

Nigeria according to the United Nations has not reported a case of wild poliovirus since July 24, 2014, and “all laboratory data has confirmed that a full 12 months have passed without any new cases.”

Polio is now endemic in only two countries – Pakistan and Afghanistan which are both located in Asia.