Update: Polio this week – As of 31 Oct 2012
Global Polio Eradication Initiative

[Editor’s Extract]
– The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) is meeting this week in London, United Kingdom (UK). The IMB is reviewing the latest status of the global polio eradication effort and progress and challenges with implementing national polio emergency action plans in priority countries. The IMB’s meeting report is anticipated to be finalized in November. Reports from partners and presentations by country delegations to the IMB are available here.

– Last week, polio eradication partners from around the world marked World Polio Day. A vast array of awareness- and fund-raising activities took place around the world, including by Rotarians all over the globe – including the maiden voyage of a special Rotary ‘End Polio Now’ express train which will travel Germany’s rail network for the next 12 months. Political and traditional leaders in polio-infected and donor countries publicly offered their support to the global eradication effort, as did development partners and public health leaders. More

– Next week (6-8 November), the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization (SAGE) is meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, and will devote one meeting session for a detailed review of the current status of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and plans

Nigeria
– Two new WPV cases were reported in the past week (WPV1s from Kano and Katsina), bringing the total number of WPV cases for 2012 to 99. The most recent WPV case had onset of paralysis on 23 September (WPV1 from Katsina).

Horn of Africa
– Outbreak response is ongoing in Kenya and parts of Somalia, following recent confirmation of a cVDPV2 outbreak in a Somali refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya, and Kismayo, south-central Somalia.
– Additionally, OPV continues to be added to broader humanitarian response activities. The polio programme is continuing to work closely with other UN agencies, partners and