| Addis Ababa, May 19, 2025 (WIC) - A cross-border polio eradication cooperation forum that involves four East African countries, including Ethiopia, would be launched soon so as to effectively contain the virus, the Ministry of Health said.
Maternal and Child Health team leader with the Family Health Department of the ministry, Hiwot Mengistu, told WIC yesterday that the forum which will be held in Jijjiga town on 24 May is expected to devise various mechanisms, including coordinated planning of polio immunization in Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia.
According to Hiwot, 25 polio cases have been detected in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and Somali states since December 2004.
The strains in the outbreaks of Tigray and Amhara states were similar to those circulating in Sudan, while the types that have surfaced in Somali state are related to those in Somalia, the team leader explained.
She stated that ''with the control measures that have been implemented here the chain of transmission of the virus may have already been interrupted in Ethiopia.''
According to the team leader, follow up campaigns were carried out between May 12 and 15 targeting 1.1 million children under the age of five in identified high risk zones of Somali, Afar and Oromia states.
Hiwot also called on all pertinent bodies to exert utmost efforts to wipeout polio which consumes huge resources of the country, besides causing paralysis, muscular atrophy and deformity on individual citizens.
The team leader said a full scale National Immunization Days (NIDs) covering children under the age of five will be carried out next October and November.
Ethiopia was among the countries declared polio free in 2002.
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Somali Links
Reuters
East African polio eradication forum to kick-off in Jijjiga town
Xabashida Oo Ka Qeyb Gashay Qaybsigii Afrika by Haldhaa. Qore Mohamed-Deeq Abdimadar �Haldhaa� 
BAYDHABO WAA LA XOREYNI. Qore: A. M. Yusuf 
In Memory of the Dervishes of Somaliya. By Arte Moallin III 
Talo siin Dadweynaha reer Puntland. Qore Cali Jaamac Cali
Hangaraarac luug uma dhutiyo. Qore Nuur Gacamey 
Sideeynta Ciid Daahir Faarax iyo xabsi kusii haynta Mahadi Ayuub maxay kuumujineysaa.? Qore Nuur Gacamey
Sheekh Xasan Turki oo Laad Yar ku Salaxay Barre Hiiraale. Qore Cabdi Miriq 