WHO Removes Nigeria From Polio-Endemic List, Leaving Afghanistan, Pakistan

News outlets report on the WHO’s removal of Nigeria from the polio-endemic list.

Agence France-Presse: WHO takes Nigeria off global list of polio-endemic countries
“The World Health Organization on Friday took Nigeria off the list of polio-endemic countries, hailing a ‘historic achievement’ more than a year after the last recorded case of the disease in Africa’s most populous nation…” (9/25).

Associated Press: Nigeria revels in removal from list of polio-endemic nations
“Nigeria on Saturday celebrated the announcement by the U.N. health agency that polio is no longer endemic in the West African country…” (Odula, 9/26).

New York Times: Nigeria: Polio Contained, WHO Says
“…Polio remains endemic in just two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have never eliminated the virus. As of last month, all of Africa had gone a full year without a case of polio paralysis…” (McNeil, 9/25).

U.N. News Centre: Polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria — U.N. health agency
“…In its announcement [Friday], WHO said that Nigeria has made remarkable progress against polio, but continued vigilance is needed to protect these gains and ensure that polio does not return…” (9/25).

USA TODAY: Nigeria celebrates end of polio spread, leaving the disease in just two countries
“…The last case of polio in Nigeria was diagnosed in July 2014, according to the WHO. The agency waited until Friday to announce the end of routine spread of polio in order to verify the results of lab tests…” (Szabo, 9/25).

Wall Street Journal: Nigeria Has Stopped Polio, WHO Says
“…Nigeria’s removal from the shortlist of polio-endemic countries puts pressure on the rest of Africa to prevent further cases, as well as on Pakistan and Afghanistan ‘to get over the finish line,’ said Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…” (McKay, 9/25).

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