Humanitarian Groups Aid In Fight To Eradicate Polio In Nigeria

KATSINA, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA - NOVEMBER 9: Sharon McKeown, a Rotarian from Canada, immunizes a Nigerian girl during the official "flag-off ceremony" for the National Immunization Days (NIDs) November 9, 2002 in Katsina, northern Nigeria. McKeown came from America with other Rotarians to participate to the NIDs in Nigeria. Nigeria is currently the greatest risk to polio eradication. In late 2003, immunization activities against polio were brought to a halt in the state of Kano, the last major polio reservoir in Africa, because of unfounded rumors, which suggested that the polio vaccine was not safe. Nigeria recorded 202 cases of polio in 2002, and 300 for the year 2003. Ninety percent of all cases are in the Muslim northern states, and among them, Kano has the worst record. (Photo by Jean-Marc Giboux/Getty Images)