Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia will vaccinate nearly 3 million children against polio in a bid to stamp out the paralyzing disease, which has re-emerged in the Horn of Africa, the World Health Organization said on Friday.

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

"Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya will simultaneously vaccinate millions of children under five years of age from Sept. 9 to 12 in the largest-ever synchronized vaccination campaign in the Horn of Africa," WHO said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

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.

"For the synchronized campaign, every effort will be made to ensure that no child is missed. Vaccinators and social mobilizes are strategically positioned throughout the countries," 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.

"On the Somali side of the border, vaccinators will aim to reach a total of 1.7 million children in a nation-wide campaign, with exceptional concentration on regions bordering Ethiopia and Kenya," it said.

In northern Kenya, a total of 240,000 children will be targeted in five districts bordering Somalia and Ethiopia.

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 to 10 percent of cases.

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

The polio eradication effort in the Horn of Africa also involves religious and community leaders, women's groups, youth associations, schools, and governmental and non-governmental organizations, all working to prevent the paralysis of children.

Source: Xinhua