GPEI Update: Polio this week – As of 30 April 2014
Global Polio Eradication Initiative
Full report: http://www.polioeradication.org/Dataandmonitoring/Poliothisweek.aspx
[Editor’s extract and bolded text]
:: The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, is convening an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations to advise on whether the current developments on the spread of poliovirus constitute a public health emergency of international concern and, if so, whether temporary recommendations are needed to reduce the risk and consequences of international spread. The Committee began consultations on 28 April 2014, and is expected to deliberate for several days.
:: In Nigeria, the Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization (ERC) convened in Abuja from 23-24 April 2014, to review the current polio epidemiology in the country. The ERC concluded that as a result of significant programme improvements including significant decline in WPV cases and increase in the quality of supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), the next 8 months are the most important period in Nigeria’s polio eradication programme. Waning political support during the upcoming election season, insecurity and complacency are now the major risks to achieving success. Through continued programme progress during the upcoming election season, continued accountability, improvements in SIA quality, and access to children in insecure areas, Nigeria can achieve success in 2014.
:: WHO published its updated vaccination recommendations for travelers from polio-infected countries in its publication International Travel and Health (polio-related section on pages 33-35). These updates were endorsed at last month’s meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE). Polio vaccination recommendations for travelers from polio-infected countries should apply to all residents and visitors of all ages, who spend more than four weeks in the country. Resident travelers from polio-infected countries should have received one documented additional dose of OPV or IPV a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of 12 months before each international travel. Travelers embarking on last minute/urgent travel that cannot be postponed should receive one dose of OPV or IPV before departure if they have not received a documented dose of polio vaccine within the past 12 months.
:: One new cVDPV2 case has been reported in the past week from Africa. The case is currently under cross border investigation to determine country of onset (Nigeria or Cameroon). – See more at:
Nigeria
:: One new WPV1 case was reported this week from Kano with onset of paralysis on 24 March bringing the total number of WPV1 cases for 2014 to two (both in Kano). The total number of WPV1 cases for 2013 is 53.
:: Meeting last week in Abuja, the ERC concluded that as a result of significant programme improvements, a window of opportunity for eradicating polio exists between May and December 2014.
:: In particular, the ERC noted the significant decline in wild poliovirus (WPV) cases, with only 1 WPV case reported this year (compared to 13 for the same period in 2013). WPV type 3 has not been detected in more than 17 months (since November 2012). The genetic biodiversity of transmission has been reduced to one remaining endemic cluster.
Pakistan
:: Five new WPV1 cases have been reported in the past week (from North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas – FATA, Gadap, greater Karachi, Sindh, and Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – KP), bringing the total number of WPV1 cases for 2014 to 54. The most recent WPV1 case had onset of paralysis on 6 April (from North Waziristan)

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UN Dispatch: Map of the Day: Violence against Aid Workers and Polio Campaigns in Pakistan – Jan – March 2014
May 1, 2014
Map posted by Mark Leon Goldberg
[Editor’s note: The map via the title link above depicts the sites in Pakistan where various forms of violence were perpetrated against UN personnel (1), Polio workers (10), NGO workers (5) and Police escorts (31). Overall, 47 persons were attacked with 28 killed, 9 injured and 10 kidnapped. Of these totals, 7 polio workers were killed and 3 kidnapped.]