The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has said poliomyelitis virus infection in Nigeria has dropped by 98 percent since 2009. UNICEF disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Monday, saying it is one of the most dramatic reductions in polio virus circulation seen in any endemic country in the history of polio eradication program. Nigeria had had a total of 367 cases in 2009 but only 8 cases as of Oct. 4, 2010, the statement said. UNICEF said the achievement is the outcome of the sustained effort of political and traditional leaders as well as the commitment of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency. Nigeria can stop polio virus transmission by mid-2011 if it intensifies its effort and upgrades its eradication program, the statement said. It stressed that the battle against polio is not yet won as the gaps in the program needed to be addressed to stop transmission. Nigeria needs to record zero cases of polio transmission for at least three years for it to be certified polio-free. UNICEF promised to continue its support for vaccine procurement and ensure that the vaccines reached their destinations. The statement quoted Suomi Saki, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, as saying that once polio is interrupted, it has to stay interrupted. Saki also promised that UNICEF would ensure that Nigerian children are protected against polio. 'We have to work together to make sure that all children in the country are protected routinely against polio,' he said. The effort would ensure the protection of children against other vaccine- preventable diseases like measles, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus, the official said. The statement said the Federal Ministry of Health with UNICEF and other partners are working to put in place mechanisms that would deliver maternal, newborn and child healthcare services. 