Poliomyelitis in Nigeria - 1712 Words

Introduction For Nigeria, the polio virus is still around in the country because of purely religious reasons. A section of the country, precisely the northern axis spurned a theory that the polio vaccine was fertility control tool of the west. Nothing could be further from the truth! But for intervention of senior clerics and prominent politicians from the area, there would have a standstill in the eradication efforts. To worsen matters, damage had been done by the time of the intervention as a case from caused Sudan which had been free to be re-infected again. And the world was back to square 1 in polio eradication efforts! The world is not resting on its oars and efforts mainly in the form polio eradication campaigns and conferences. One of such conferences held in the Nigerian capital, Abuja where stock taking of Nigeria`s polio situation (and by extension polio situation worldwide since Nigeria is one of last places polio is yet to eradicated) (BBC Focus on Africa programme, Apri l 28,2014). That conference informed participant and the whole world of the progress the country was making. It emerged that Nigeria recorded only two cases in the last year which was an improvement on early figures. Furthermore, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued the most radical directive when it imposed travel restrictions on individuals from Pakistan advising that travellers from the Asian country prove full polio vaccination before they could travelShow MoreRelatedWhat Is Poliomyelitis?1564 Words   |  6 PagesWHAT IS POLIO? Poliomyelitis or polio, is highly contagious viral infection that can lead to abnormal conditions such as paralysis, breathing problems, or even lead to death. The poliomyelitis is from the word â€Å"grey†, myelos referencing to the â€Å"matter† of the spinal cord, -itis meaning inflammation. So it means the inflammation of the grey matter of the spinal cord. Poliomyelitis can be categorize as either asymptomatic or symptomatic. AboutRead MoreA Brief Look at Poliomyelitis1377 Words   |  5 PagesINTRODUCTION Poliomyelitis is often called polio, this polio is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus which can spread from person to person via the fecal- oral route. The term poliomyelitis means inflammation of the spinal cord of the grey matter. In severe poliomyelitis infection it can expand to the brainstem. Polio is so contagious that anyone living with a person that is recently affected can spread the virus for weeks in their feces. It invades the nervous system and spread withinRead MoreOutline Of A Program On Immunization3109 Words   |  13 PagesPerspectives on the expanded program on immunization in the quest to eradicate polio in Nigeria: A comparative evaluation. Word count: 2,559. Introduction Poliomyelitis also referred to as polio or infantile paralysis is a highly infectious yet preventable viral infection (WHO 2014). It is caused by a human virus of the enterovirus subgroup called the poliovirus; a member of the picornaviridae family (GPEI 2015a, Atkinson et al., 2009). Three subtypes of the poliovirus exist: P1, P2 and P3. ImmunityRead MoreA Brief Look at Polio1848 Words   |  7 Pagesthe lower motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. Respiratory paralysis may occur, following infection of brainstem known as paralytic poliomyelitis. Nonparalytic poliomyelitis may also occur; in which, symptoms are indistinguishable from aseptic meningitis caused by other enteroviruses and photophobia. Sometimes abortive poliomyelitis occurs, causing minor nonspecific symptoms of headache, sore throat, nausea, fever and malaise. Some polio patients never fully regain use of their limbsRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Polio During The Egyptian Era1586 Words   |  7 Pagesunti l research skills and technology accessibility improved that scientists were able to grasp the idea that it was all caused by the Poliomyelitis virus. Polio began ravaging through the world in the twentieth century, crippling children, and, even after the discovery of numerous vaccines, is still relentless enough that it infects children today. Poliomyelitis, also called â€Å"infantile paralysis† (Swanson 1), is a virus that has been around for over 3,000 years, but had troubled scientists rightRead MoreHow Poliomyelitis Is A Contagious And Aggressive Virus1196 Words   |  5 PagesPoliomyelitis is a highly contagious and aggressive virus which attacks motor neurones attached to the spinal chord and brainstem. There is no cure for Polio however there is a vaccine which contains a mixture of live and weakened strains of the three types of polio; Bulbar polio, spinal polio and bulbospinal polio. Poliomyelitis is an aggressive virus which is able to pass through the three line of defence. It is passed through the first line by the faecal/oral route and enters the bloodstream.Read MoreTaking a Look at Infantile Paralysis2074 Words   |  8 PagesINTRODUCTION Poliomyelitis also called Polio or infantile paralysis describes an acute viral infectious disease which is generally transmitted by the oral fecal route. The condition is characterized by the downwards flexed foot, withered limbs associated with muscle atrophy following the loss of motor innervations in the limb. The symptoms, location, extent and persistence of the paralysis caused depends on the degree of the damage to the anterior horn neurons and the number of neurons affected.Read MoreA Brief Look at Polio1444 Words   |  6 PagesINTRODUCTION Polio or poliomyelitis was derived from the Greek words â€Å"polio† meaning grey and â€Å"myelos† meaning marrow which refers to the grey matter of the spinal cord and ‘itis’ meaning inflammation; therefore poliomyelitis is inflammation of grey matter of the spinal cord (www.wikipedia.com). It is a viral disease caused by the polio virus which belongs to the enterovirus genus; enterovirus because it infects and replicates in the intestinal epithelial and lymphoid (tonsils, Peyer’s patches) cellsRead MoreOutline Of A Child Immunization1072 Words   |  5 PagesDiseases Becoming More Prevalent in Children Vaccines are crucial in a child s life. Immunizations and vaccines help prevent future diseases such as pneumonia, polio, and HPV. Polio is a disease that can cause paralysis (Poliomyelitis). This disease is most commonly found in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan (Childhood). One out of every five children in Pakistan don t have their necessary vaccines and immunizations (Childhood). In rural areas 2/3 of their children don t get their vaccinations (Childhood)Read MoreTaking a Look at Polio1546 Words   |  6 PagesINTRODUCTION Polio (poliomyelitis) is a viral disease also referred to as infantile paralysis. It is an infectious, potentially fatal disease for which there is no known existing cure. This paper discusses the causes, transmission, symptoms and prevention of polio. Further, it addresses the challenges involved in eradicating Polio and suggests efforts to wipe out this disease. The word â€Å"poliomyelitis† is derived from the Greek word, ‘polios’, meaning grey, and myelà ³s for â€Å"marrow†, which refers