Sudan Launches Massive Polio Campaign to Reach 11 Million Children Amid War: Health Authorities
Sudan Launches Massive Polio Campaign to Reach 11 Million Children Amid War: Health Authorities
Health workers in Sudan, backed by the WHO and UNICEF, are racing to contain a variant poliovirus outbreak that has been exacerbated by the country's ongoing conflict, the health ministry announced.
Sudanese authorities have confirmed infections in six children and detected the virus in three wastewater samples in 2026. The virus has been circulating since December 2024.
Key details:
The first phase of the vaccination campaign took place from October 26 to 29, targeting 6 million children under five across 12 states.
A second phase in early November will aim for 5 million children in the five Darfur states and West Kordofan.
In Darfur, the target age group is expanded to children under 10 due to lower underlying immunity levels.
Efforts are being synchronized with neighboring Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan to prevent international spread. Transit point vaccinators are also stationed along borders to immunize displaced and mobile populations.
The campaign faces immense challenges delivering relief to a population where over 13 million people have been displaced since 2023, leaving children highly vulnerable to malnutrition and vaccine-preventable illnesses.
Subscribe to @sputnik_africa
