New polio outbreak adds to woes of Sudanese refugees

A baby is given polio vaccine in northern Nigeria on July 31 as the nation resumed polio immunizations. Strains from a Nigerian outbreak of 453 cases so far this year have been found in four cases in Sudan's refugee camps. PHOTO: EPA

Polio, which can paralyze small children, has become the latest threat to refugees already struggling with famine and disease in the camps of Darfur.

Sudan is one of 12 countries that had been polio-free for at least two years but is now again seeing cases of paralysis as a result of a major outbreak in northern Nigeria.

There have been 453 cases of polio in Kano, Nigeria, because controversy over the polio vaccine in the Muslim province led to cessation of immunization.

Although immunization in Kano started again two weeks ago, major efforts will be needed across much of Africa to contain the outbreak.

One case was identified in Darfur earlier in the year. On Tuesday it was confirmed there have been three more, all caused by the Nigerian polio strain.

Mali and Guinea also have had polio cases, it was revealed yesterday, taking the total from ten in June to 12 now.

African Union health ministers have agreed on a campaign to reach 74 million children under five years old, but it will be able to go ahead only if more money is forthcoming from donors.

Six countries have never been polio-free. There have been 453 cases in Nigeria this year, 33 in India, 21 in Pakistan, 19 in Niger, three in Afghanistan, and one in Egypt.