In August 2021, Uganda faced an alarming public health crisis when the Ministry of Health declared a public health emergency due to the detection of Circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in environmental samples from sewage plants in Kampala. This revelation marked a serious setback in the fight against polio, despite Africa having been declared wild polio-free by the World Health Organization just a year earlier. The virus found in Uganda was genetically linked to a strain reported in Sudan, signaling a new phase of polio resurgence in the region.
Polio, a contagious viral disease that spreads primarily through the faecal-oral route or contaminated food and water, had been largely eradicated in Africa due to years of robust immunization efforts. However, cVDPV2, a strain of the virus that affects children in communities with low vaccination coverage, has resurfaced in several African countries. The resurgence was not limited to Uganda alone; over the past year, 19 African nations, including Uganda’s neighbors like the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Kenya, reported outbreaks of cVDPV2.
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The reemergence of polio in Uganda was largely attributed to the significant decline in routine immunization rates caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The global health crisis disrupted essential health services, including routine vaccination campaigns, leading to a gap in immunity levels, particularly among young children. This reduction in vaccination coverage, combined with the ongoing movement of people across borders, particularly from countries experiencing cVDPV2 outbreaks, further exacerbated the spread of the disease.
The Ugandan government recognized the urgency of the situation and responded with a series of targeted measures. The Ministry of Health increased its surveillance efforts across the country, particularly in health facilities where all cases of sudden paralysis or weakness in children under the age of fifteen were immediately reported and investigated. In addition, the government expanded environmental surveillance to monitor and track the virus more effectively.
To curb the spread of polio and protect children, the Ministry of Health organized nationwide immunization campaigns. In October and December of 2021, health workers would conduct house-to-house visits to ensure that every child aged five years and below was vaccinated against polio. The campaigns were designed to reach the most vulnerable children, especially in rural and underserved areas, where immunization coverage had been low. To safeguard both the health workers and the children, all participants in the campaign were instructed to wear masks and adhere strictly to the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures, ensuring that the vaccination process was as safe as possible.
The Ministry of Health also took proactive steps to ensure that parents and guardians were well informed about the immunization campaigns. Public announcements were made through national media channels, including radio, television, posters, and banners, to encourage parents to have their children vaccinated during the campaign. The government emphasized that the immunization of children under five years of age was critical, not just to protect them from polio, but to prevent the virus from spreading further within the community.
In addition to the nationwide campaigns, the Ministry also urged parents to ensure that their children were up to date on routine immunizations as per Uganda’s regular vaccination schedule. By doing so, families could help safeguard their children against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Polio is an incurable disease that can cause permanent paralysis, and in severe cases, it can be fatal. Despite this, it is completely preventable through vaccination. The Ministry of Health’s swift response to the outbreak highlighted the government’s commitment to eradicating polio in Uganda and protecting the health of future generations. While the outbreak was a grave reminder of the challenges posed by the disease, the country’s collective efforts to respond to the emergency and ensure widespread immunization would help to protect children from the devastating effects of polio.
