Continent is on the way to finally being rid of the disease, but violent conflicts, particularly in Somalia and Nigeria, pose threat to immunisation programme
Africa has achieved a year without any new cases of wild polio for the first time, but experts warn that violent insurgencies could yet prove their “achilles heel” in finally eradicating the disease.
The poliomyelitis virus attacks the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within hours of infection. No cases have been identified in Africa since 11 August last year in the Hobyo district of Mudug province in Somalia, meaning that the continent is two years away from being certified polio-free.
Related: Africa close to wiping out wild polio after six months free of disease
I just hope Boko Haram will not be the achilles heel of our work
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