Katsina State in northwest Nigeria recorded 118 cases of poliomyelitis during the first eight months of this year, the official News Agency of Nigeria quoted a top health official as saying on Thursday.

Ahmed Qabasiyyu, executive chairman of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency, told reporters on Wednesday that the January-August period this year witnessed occurrence of 118 cases of poliomyelitis.

However, he added, "even though we have 118 cases of polio, we are optimistic that we will eradicate poliomyelitis by the end of this year as all requirements for the eradication are ready."

According to him, the third round of the Immunization Plus Days (IPDs), which will take off on Thursday would benefit 1.2 million children who are expected to be immunized against polio and diphtheria (DPT) across the state.

The executive chairman said 1.8 million doses of polio vaccines are in stock, while adequate DPT vaccines had been secured for the exercise.

A total of 1,410 immunization centers had been mapped out and 9, 000 personnel recruited for the exercise in the state, he added.

Qabasiyyu said insecticide-treated nets would also be provided by local governments, while oral rehydration therapy drops as well as albandozole would be given to children during the IPD exercise.

Meanwhile, he appealed to parents in the state to ensure that their children under the age of five were immunized.

Source: Xinhua