Update: Polio this week – As of 27 March 2013
Global Polio Eradication Initiative
http://www.polioeradication.org/Dataandmonitoring/Poliothisweek.aspx

[Editor’s Extract and bolded text]
– Key expert advisory groups are meeting to review both global and national progress towards polio eradication.
– In Nigeria, the Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization (ERC) convened last week in Abuja. In Chad, the national Technical Advisory Group (TAG) will meet in early April. And at the global level, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization (SAGE) is expected to meet in Geneva, Switzerland, on 9-11 April. Among other immunization topics, the SAGE will review the global polio situation.

Afghanistan
– One new circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was reported in the past week (from Hilmand), bringing the total number of cVDPV2 cases in 2013 to two. It is the most recent cVDPV2 case in the country, and had onset of paralysis on 20 February. The total number of cVDPV2 cases for 2012 remains nine.

Nigeria
– Five new WPV cases were reported in the past week (all WPV1s, from Borno and Yobe states), bringing the total number of WPV cases for 2013 to ten. The total number of WPV cases for 2012 remains 122. One of the cases from Borno is the most recent in the country, and had onset of paralysis on 24 February.
– The Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization (ERC) met last week in Abuja.
– The ERC noted clear operational improvements in all 11 high-risk states, as verified through Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) of IPDs since February 2012. Of note, improvements are also noted in the 107 high-risk Local Government Areas (LGAs), in particular over the last four months. These improvements are resulting in increased population immunity levels.
– This is further evidenced in the reduction of biodiversity of circulating WPVs. Only one cluster of WPV3 remains (no cases since November). In the last six months of 2012, four clusters of WPV1 were circulating; in 2013, two clusters of WPV1 have been detected.
– However, in some high-risk LGAs, the quality of operations has stagnated and needs further attention.
– The ERC recommended more clearly identifying those high-risk LGAs where operations have stagnated, and focusing recourses and efforts on filling in remaining operational gaps in those areas. Further recommendations included:
– adopting a flexible approach to operating in security-compromised areas;
– implementing rapid and aggressive mop-ups to stop outbreaks in non-endemic areas;
– optimizing operations through the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), including by linking it to state management operations centres;
– tracking engagement of state governors and LGA Chairpersons through the EOC; and,
– assessing community perceptions and tailoring social mobilization activities accordingly, while further improving vaccinator inter-personal communications training and fostering the systematic engagement of religious leaders.
– The ERC noted the 2013 Emergency Action Plan, which builds on lessons from 2012, and urged its full implementation.

Pakistan
– One new cVDPV2 case was reported in the past week (from Sindh), bringing the total number of cVDPV2 cases in 2013 to two. It is the most recent cVDPV2 case in the country, and had onset of paralysis on 21 February. The total number of cVDPV2 cases for 2012 remains 16.
– The security situation continues to be monitored closely, in consultation with law enforcement agencies. Immunization activities continue to be implemented, in some areas staggered or postponed, depending on the security situation at the local level.