Community health volunteers in northern Kenya are playing a crucial role in preventing the spread of polio by tracking reports of children who suddenly develop paralysis in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Although Kenya has not recorded a case of wild poliovirus since 2013, health officials remain alert to the risk of vaccine-derived poliovirus, which can emerge in communities with low immunisation coverage.
Volunteers travel for hours by motorcycle across isolated villages and nomadic settlements to investigate suspected cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). When a child is identified, health workers must collect stool samples within 14 days to determine whether poliovirus is present.
In urban areas, Kenya's Ministry of Health monitors wastewater for signs of the virus. However, in northern regions where sewer systems are unavailable, community-based surveillance remains the primary method of early detection.
Health officials say trust built between volunteers and local communities is essential, especially among nomadic pastoralists who frequently move across the Kenya-Somalia border. Volunteers often work with village elders and religious leaders to encourage families to cooperate with testing.
Authorities also coordinate with neighbouring countries to ensure children crossing international borders are not missed during surveillance efforts.
Health experts say the dedication of community volunteers is helping Kenya maintain its progress against polio and protect vulnerable children from future outbreaks.
.jpeg)
.jpeg "Sunayen kofofin aljanna guda takwas 8")
0 Comment about the Post: