Update: Polio this week – As of 14 Nov 2012
Global Polio Eradication Initiative
http://www.polioeradication.org/Dataandmonitoring/Poliothisweek.aspx

[Editor’s Extract]
– The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization (SAGE) met last week in Geneva, Switzerland. During this meeting, the draft polio eradication and endgame strategy for 2013-2018 and current status of the global polio eradication programme were presented to SAGE. Substantial progress has been made in implementing polio emergency action plans in the remaining polio-infected countries, detailed attention to oral polio vaccine (OPV) campaign planning in the field, and new evidence in improving performance. SAGE was alarmed, however, by the considerable funding shortfalls at a time when eradication is in sight.

– SAGE endorsed the four major objectives and milestones in the new strategic plan. SAGE also recommended that all countries should introduce at least one dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) in their routine immunization programmes to mitigate the risks and consequences associated with the eventual withdrawal of the type 2 component of OPV (OPV2). SAGE will review progress on achieving the pre-requisites for OPV2 withdrawal, including the availability of affordable IPV products, every six months to ensure the earliest possible date for OPV2 withdrawal but with sufficient advance notification to ensure programmatic readiness and vaccine availability.

Pakistan
– Six new WPV cases were reported in the past week (one WPV1 from Federally Administered Tribal Areas – FATA – and five WPV1s from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – KP), bringing the total number of cases for 2012 to 54. The most recent case was one of the newly reported WPV1 cases from KP with onset of paralysis on 27 October.

– In addition to transmission of WPV, the country is also responding to a cVDPV2 outbreak (five cases, all from the greater Quetta area of Balochistan). The most recent NIDs held in October had been conducted with trivalent OPV.

– Initial data from the October NIDs indicates overall good progress achieved, including in key reservoir areas. Efforts to engage all levels of civil society are continuing, including through the distribution of 6.5 million SMS messages during the three-day campaign in polio reservoir areas.

Horn of Africa
– Efforts are continuing to stop an ongoing cVDPV2 outbreak in Kenya and parts of Somalia (in a Somali refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya, and Kismayo, south-central Somalia).

– Immunizations of older age groups have taken place in Dadaab. In Somalia, campaigns have been conducted in border areas with Kenya and Ethiopia, and in some areas of central Somalia (access allowing).

– Across the region, OPV continues to be added to broader humanitarian response activities.