WHO removes Nigeria from list of polio-endemic countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday formally removed Nigeria from the list of polio-endemic countries after the country succeeded in interrupting the transmission of wild polio virus for a period of 15 months.

To recognize this landmark achievement, the WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti formally announced the decision to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

"It is my pleasure to congratulate the people and the government of Nigeria on the interruption of wild polio virus transmission and to inform that Nigeria has been officially removed from the list of polio-endemic countries," said Moeti, representing WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan.

She said the remarkable achievement is a true testament of what political will, government leadership, community ownership, and the collective efforts of partners can achieve when united behind a global public health good.

The dramatic progress in the fight against polio in Nigeria has been greatly facilitated through the involvement of the states and local government areas.

"To achieve polio eradication, we must ensure that in the next two years no child is paralyzed due to polio. There is no time for complacency and we must remain vigilant," added Moeti.

Only two countries -- Afghanistan and Pakistan -- remain polio-endemic, down from more than 125 in 1988, according to WHO. Endit