The latest news from the Democratic Republic of Congo informs us that a new case of polio has been discovered in the Wangata health zone, located in the city of Mbandaka, Équateur province. This announcement was made by Acting Governor, Dr. Taylor Nganzi Nkeka, during the launch of the second phase of the polio vaccination campaign.
This new case was identified in the Bralima district of the Wangata health zone. Authorities immediately set up surveys to vaccinate all children aged 0-5 living in this health zone to prevent the spread of polio within the community.
It is expected that 586,445 children will be vaccinated during this second phase of the mass vaccination campaign in the province of Équateur. According to local sources, this province has a high risk of importation of polio cases due to its forest density.
The acting deputy governor called for collaboration between vaccinators and children’s parents to ensure that all children under 5 years of age are vaccinated against polio. Vaccination will take place over a period of three days, with a door-to-door approach to reach all affected children.
This vaccination campaign is organized by the provincial health division of Ecuador, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and GAVI, within the framework of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).
It is essential to emphasize the importance of vaccination against polio, a serious viral disease that can cause permanent paralysis. Thanks to sustained vaccination efforts, many countries have successfully eradicated polio. However, sporadic cases continue to occur in some regions of the world, requiring continued vigilance and regular vaccination campaigns.
Hopefully this new phase of vaccination in the Democratic Republic of Congo will help prevent the spread of polio and protect the health of children in the region. It is important that health authorities continue to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination and provide easy access to vaccines for all children. Together, we can fight infectious diseases and ensure a healthier future for all.