GPEI Update: Polio this week – As of 17 September 2014
Global Polio Eradication Initiative
Editor’s Excerpt and text bolding
Full report: http://www.polioeradication.org/Dataandmonitoring/Poliothisweek.aspx
:: A synchronized regional mass polio vaccination campaign in central and western Africa is currently underway to vaccinate nearly 94 million children in 18 countries with oral polio vaccine (OPV).
:: In the Horn of Africa, current focus is on further strengthening microplans for upcoming outbreak response campaigns. Targeted approaches are being put in place and technical support has been deployed to the highest risk areas to ensure the best possible campaigns are implemented.
Pakistan
:: Seven new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV-1) cases were reported in the past week. Of these, 4 are from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) (1 from North Waziristan and 3 from Khyber Agency) and 2 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (1 from Tank and 1 from Bannu). The 7th case had onset in the previously-uninfected district of Quetta in Balochistan province. This brings the total number of polio cases in 2014 to 145 compared to 28 in 2013 by this date. The most recent onset of paralysis was on 30 August in FATA…
:: Immunization activities are continuing with particular focus on known high-risk areas, in particular the newly opened areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At exit and entry points, 182 permanent vaccination points are being used to reach internally displaced persons.