Lagos — Global Certification Commission (GCC) subcommittee in Africa, the African Region Certificate Commission (ARCC), has said there is enough evidence to show non-existence of the wild polio-virus in South Africa.

The ARCC is an independent body established by the GCC, to oversee the process of Polio -Free Certification in Africa.

At its meeting last week in Uganda, the ARCC awarded South Africa the Polio Free Certification based on the last confirmed wild polio-virus case in 1989, normally the minimum period required since the last confirmed case.

According to the Health Department, South Africa has conducted a large number of polio immunisation campaigns.

In addition, the surveillance for sudden floppy paralysis had been at a satisfactory level for at least three years.

Percentage of children vaccinated with the third dose of polio vaccine and thus protected from polio (Routine OPV3 Coverage) is above 80 per cent in all the provinces.

The department said the ARCC, however, emphasised the importance of intensifying search for possible polio cases, to promptly respond to the disease should it to be imported.

In this regard, the Commission said South Africa needed to be adequately prepared to act swiftly, to prevent the likely spread of polio from such importation.

The ARCC further urged the country to strengthen routine coverage, especially at district level, to ensure that every child was immunised.

The department also said the ARCC had expressed satisfaction with the measures South Africa had in place against polio, including the political commitment to eradicate the childhood disease.

The country acted swiftly in June to prevent the potential importation of polio, following an outbreak of the disease in Namibia, leading to the death of 19 people and dozens cases reported.

Early signs and symptoms of polio are non-specific, but include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pains.