POLIO [to 18 October2014]

GPEI Update: Polio this week – As of 15 October 2014
Global Polio Eradication Initiative
Editor’s Excerpt and text bolding
Full report: http://www.polioeradication.org/Dataandmonitoring/Poliothisweek.aspx
:: More than 6 months has passed since a case of wild poliovirus was reported in Syria or Iraq. Over 22 million children have been vaccinated against polio multiple times in the past year, in the midst of active conflict and a humanitarian crisis.
:: Pakistan has reached 206 cases of paralysis caused by wild poliovirus in 2014. This is the highest number of cases on record by October in Pakistan in any year.
:: Reviews took place in both Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon in September to assess the quality of polio outbreak response activities conducted so far. Both assessments concluded that although much progress has been accomplished towards controlling the outbreaks, neither programme can be entirely confident that transmission has been interrupted. Recommendations have been made and follow up missions should take place by mid-December in Equatorial Guinea and by February 2015 in Cameroon.
Afghanistan
:: Two new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases were reported in the past week in Afghanistan. Both were from Kandahar province (1 from Kandahar district and one from the previously uninfected Panjwayi district). The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 18 September. The total number of WPV1 cases in 2014 is now 12.
:: Given the growing outbreak in neighbouring Pakistan, Afghanistan is taking protective steps to limit any spread of virus. Subnational Immunization Days (SNIDs) were held 12-14 October using bivalent oral polio vaccine (OPV) in high-risk areas of Southern Region and Eastern Region. The next National Immunization Days (NIDs) are scheduled for 19-21 October using bivalent OPV.
Pakistan
:: Nineteen new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases were reported in the past week in Pakistan. Of these, 6 are from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) (1 from North Waziristan, 1 from South Waziristan and 4 from Khyber Agency); 9 are from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (1 from Tank district, 2 from Mardan district, 1 from the previously uninfected district of Nowshera and 5 from Peshawar district); 1 case from Balochistan province in Quetta district; 2 from Sindh province (1 in Khigadap and the other from the previously uninfected Khibinqasim district); and 1 from Punjab province, in the previously uninfected district of Sheikupura. This brings the total number of WPV1 cases in 2014 to 206 compared to 39 in 2013 by this date. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 22 September in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
:: Immunization activities are continuing with particular focus on known high-risk areas, in particular the newly opened areas of FATA. At exit and entry points, 163 permanent vaccination points are being used to reach internally displaced families as they leave their homes.
Central Africa
:: Reviews took place in both Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon in September to assess the quality and adequacy of polio outbreak response activities conducted so far. Both assessments concluded that although much progress has been accomplished towards controlling the outbreaks, neither programme can be entirely confident that transmission has been interrupted. Recommendations have been made and follow up missions should take place in by mid-December in Equatorial Guinea and by February 2015 in Cameroon.
Middle East
:: Last week marked 6 months with no cases of WPV1 in the Middle East. The most recent case reported from Syria had onset of paralysis on 21 January. The last case in Iraq occurred in Mada’in district, Baghdad-Resafa province, with onset of paralysis on 7 April.
:: Phase 2 of the Middle East Outbreak response continues to be implemented, with campaigns planned across the region in October, using a mix of bivalent and trivalent oral polio vaccine, depending on the area.
West Africa
:: Even as polio programme staff across West Africa support efforts to control the Ebola outbreak affecting the region, efforts are being made in those countries not affected by Ebola to vaccinate children against polio. National Immunization Days (NIDs) are planned in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal and Togo starting 31 October. Subnational Immunization Days (SNIDs) will take place on the same dates in Niger.