What You Need to Know
Niassa province in Mozambique is on high alert after a polio case was confirmed in Malawi. To combat this, a vaccination campaign targeting 560,000 children under five will commence in April. The initiative includes passenger screenings in border areas to prevent further spread, with vaccinations scheduled across several districts.
Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambique’s Niassa province has been placed on maximum alert following a recently confirmed case of poliomyelitis in neighbouring Malawi, Rádio Moçambique reports. Around 560,000 children under the age of five are set to be vaccinated against polio in April.
As part of ongoing polio prevention measures, passenger screening is being conducted on semi-collective transport in border areas with Malawi, according to Lúcia Joaquim, spokesperson for the State Representation Services Council in Niassa.
The vaccination campaign will take place in the districts of Lichinga, Chimbunila, Mandimba, Ngaúma, Mecanhelas, Lago, and Cuamba.
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children. The disease can lead to paralysis and even death, making vaccination crucial for public health. Mozambique has been actively working to eradicate polio through vaccination campaigns, especially in regions close to countries with reported cases. The recent confirmation of polio in Malawi underscores the need for vigilance and proactive measures in neighboring regions to protect vulnerable populations.
