Zimbabwe and six other countries in the region (Burundi, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia) is conducting a Polio vaccination campaign to protect children following an outbreak of the disease in some neighbouring countries in 2022.
The Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care’s fourth round of Polio vaccination programme is set for October in all the country’s 10 provinces.
Below is a snapshot of what you need to know about Polio.
What Is Polio?
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as Polio, is a highly infectious disease that attacks the body’s nervous system and sometimes the virus can attack the nerves in the spine leading to paralysis.
How is polio spread?
- Polio is spread through ingesting contaminated water or food.
- The virus only affects humans and is spread through the feces of an infected person or via droplets after someone sneezes or coughs.
- A person can be infectious and transmit the virus even before symptoms develop.
Is Polio contagious?
Yes. Polio is a highly infectious disease spread mainly through close contact with an infected person.
What Are the Symptoms of Polio?
- Sudden weakness or paralyses of limbs.
- Sudden failure to walk or crawl.
What happens if one is not vaccinated against Polio?
- In serious cases, the virus attacks the spine permanently, leading to paralysis of the limbs.
- Polio can also paralyze the muscles responsible for breathing and swallowing and without medical intervention death is imminent.
What is the primary way to prevent polio?
- There is no cure for Polio and the primary prevention is vaccination.
What are the secondary ways of preventing polio?
- Always use the toilet and avoid open defecation.
- Always wash hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet, before preparing, or eating food and after changing your child’s nappies.
- Wash fruits and vegetables with safe and clean water before eating.
- Drink boiled or treated water.
- Keep your environment clean at all times.
What is the target population for the polio vaccination campaigns?
- All children under 5 years of age regardless of their polio vaccination status.
- Children who were vaccinated in the first and second round should come back during the third and subsequent rounds to get the recommended supplementary polio vaccine doses as long as they are still below 5 years of age
Where will the vaccine be provided?
- Health workers will be doing door-to-door visits.
- Vaccinations will also take place at health facilities, schools, markets, churches, bus stations, and all other meeting places.
Sources:
Ministry of Health E-Programme on Immunisation (EPI)
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