Rotary has approved a US$500,000 Rapid Response grant to address a recent polio outbreak in Somalia. As of 14 August 2013, there have been 110 cases of wild poliovirus reported in the Horn of Africa- 100 cases in Somalia, and 10 cases in Kenya. The outbreak in Somalia occurred in the Banadir Region of the country, where a large number of children had not been vaccinated against polio due to inaccessibility. This is the first outbreak in Somalia since 2007 and in Kenya since 2011. The Rotary grant to the World Health Organization will cover operational costs, including human resources, training, and transportation of health workers during August immunization activities aimed at reaching children under 10 in all accessible areas of Somalia. To date, five vaccination campaigns have been held in Somalia, three in Kenya, two each in Ethiopia and Yemen and one in Djibouti. Additional campaigns are planned through the end of the year.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 10:59:19 +0000
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