By Memory Mudzani
Zimbabwe and six other countries in the region which include Burundi, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia is conducting a Polio vaccination campaign to protect children following an outbreak of the disease in some neighboring countries in 2022.
The Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care’s fourth round of Polio vaccination programme is set for in this month of October in all the country’s 10 provinces.
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.
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.
According to the information recorded by Zimfact, a person can be infectious and transmit the virus even before symptoms develop.
Polio is contagious and highly infectious disease spread mainly through close contact with an infected person.
If one is not vaccinated against Polio, the virus attacks the spine permanently, leading to paralysis of the limbs and it can also paralyze the muscles responsible for breathing and swallowing and without medical intervention death is imminent.
There is no cure for Polio and the primary prevention is vaccination.
Secondary ways of preventing polio is to always use the toilet, avoid open defecation, 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.
Kwedu Classics
Your story our story
