GPEI: Polio this week – As of 12 March 2013

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Update: Polio this week – As of 12 March 2013
Global Polio Eradication Initiative
http://www.polioeradication.org/Dataandmonitoring/Poliothisweek.aspx

[Editor’s Extract and bolded text]
– Efforts are continuing in DR Congo to further boost immunity levels and fill residual subnational surveillance gaps. Although the country has not reported a WPV case since December 2011, DR Congo was affected by a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak, with 17 cases (the most recent had onset of paralysis on 4 April 2012).
– With Angola successfully coming off the re-established transmission list in July 2012, South Sudan in 2010 and now DR Congo, Chad remains the only country with re-established WPV transmission. Here too, however, strong progress continues to be achieved, and the country is on track to becoming again polio-free in June 2013 (most recent WPV case: 14 June 2012; however, Chad remains affected by a cVDPV2 outbreak, with 12 cases reported in the second half of 2012.

Nigeria
– One new WPV case was reported in the past week (WPV1 from Borno), bringing the total number of WPV cases for 2013 to 4. The total number of WPV cases for 2012 remains 122. The most recent WPV case had onset of paralysis on 31 January 2013 (from Yobe).
– Nationwide Immunization Plus Days (IPDs) were conducted using trivalent OPV on 2-5 March in 30 states, coordinated with activities in neighbouring Republic of Niger. IPDs have been postponed by one week in four southern states and the Federal Capital Territory because of the need for more time to adequately prepare for the round of immunization. IPDs have been postponed in Kano and Borno states due to security concerns. The security situation in the north remains fluid.

Pakistan
– The security situation continues to be monitored closely, in consultation with law enforcement agencies.
– Sub-national Immunization Days were conducted in 34 out of 51 planned districts/towns from 4-6 March. Activities have been delayed in other districts, but campaigns are underway in certain areas as possible.