The Niger Primary Health Care Development Agency said on Thursday that 2.7 million children were immunised in the state during the special round of immunisation for polio endemic states.

The Executive Director of the agency, Dr Shehu Aliyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, that the exercise was to stop the transmission of polio virus in line with the WHO goals.

He said the state had made progress in eradicating polio but that owing to the activities of migrant Fulani families, another case of wild polio virus was reported about six months ago.

He said the state was still classified as high risk because it shared borders with high polio transmitting states such as Zamfara and Kaduna.

Aliyu said the agency would continue to ensure that polio was wiped out of the state and would halt any transmission from its neighbouring states through effective surveillance of border and isolated communities.

He commended the government for the funding of the agency and its support for the Task Force Committee that mobilised traditional and religious leaders towards ensuring the success of the exercise.

Aliyu urged parents to allow their wards to be immunised against polio due to its devastating effect on the lives of persons inflicted with the disease.

NAN