WHO removes Nigeria from Polio-Endemic Countries List

• Nigeria has been removed from the list of polio endemic countries. The announcement was made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at a meeting of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in New York.
• Nigeria has not reported a case of wild polio virus since 2014. However, three years without cases are required before it can be declared polio free.
• Jean Gough, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, said “This is an important milestone, but it is too early to celebrate. We need to continue the efforts at every level if polio is to be eradicated.”