Poliomyelitis still a health hazard in Cameroon

Despite sustained efforts to eradicate the dreaded disease, seven cases were detected between 2013 and 2014
By Mbeh Moses Eben in Yaounde

Andre Mama Fouda

Four cases of children with the wild polio virus were detected in October 2013 and three cases in March 2014. These are the most recent statistics on the incidence of the wild polio virus in Cameroon.
    Before October 2013 the last case was detected way back in 2009 and medics thought Cameroon was on course to achieving the global goal of eradicating poliomyelitis in the country.
    But with the new detections, government is once again called upon to reinforce immunization campaigns against the menacing virus. This is because prevention by immunization is so far the only response available for managing the disease. There is no known treatment for the disease until today. Health officials said the seven cases detected were because the victims either did not receive their vaccines or did not completely take it after birth.

    Speaking to journalists at a press briefing last week, health minister, Andre Mama Fouda said the discovery of the new cases was a surprise to authorities. Cameroon is presently the only country among 10 Central African countries to have reported cases in recent years. Mama Fouda said there is therefore every reason to launch a nationwide immunization campaign against the wild polio before it spreads to other countries in the region. He said giving the speed with which the virus spreads the seven cases detected are considered an epidemic.
    “The large movement of people and goods at the border with neighbouring countries and the socio-political unrest in the sub-region combine to make the risk of international spread high, said Fouda, who added that the impact of such spread can lead to border closures, refusal to grant visas, restrictions on trade exchanges etc. with the attendant socio-political and economic consequences these measures could have on society.