Botswana: Polio Case In Botswana The First In Southern Africa Since 1997

Health authorities have confirmed a new case of polio in Botswana - the first in southern Africa since 1997 - and traced it to Nigeria. The finding jeopardizes efforts to eradicate the disease and prompted preparations for a nationwide immunization program in Botswana to reach 250,000 children. "This shows unless the virus is eradicated everywhere, no one is protected anywhere," said Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele, senior adviser for immunization activities for UNICEF in New York. "As long as we have a couple of pockets of transmission, we are not safe at all."