Horn of Africa states launch anti-polio drive

GENEVA, Sep 8 (Reuters) Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia will vaccinate nearly three million children against polio in a bid to stamp out the paralysing disease, which has re-emerged in the Horn of Africa, the World Health Organisation said.

The vaccination campaign, which will run September 9-12, should be followed by two more in November and December in high-risk areas around the borders between the three states.

Polio-free for almost three years, Somalia became re-infected last year after the virus was brought in by people travelling from Yemen, the WHO said.

With 215 confirmed cases, and with 14 out of its 19 regions infected, Somalia faces the toughest challenge in halting the spread of the disease.

Ethiopia has reported 37 cases since polio reappeared in 2004.

Kenya has been polio-free for 22 years and the campaign aims to prevent a return of the viral disease of the brain and spine which attacks mainly children.

The virus causes paralysis, muscular atrophy and deformity and it kills in 5-10 per cent of cases.

The WHO missed its target of stopping the spread of polio worldwide by the end of 2005. In four countries -- Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan -- the disease remains endemic.

Reuters BDP VV0917