POLIO [to 27 June 2015]
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

GPEI Update: Polio this week – As of 24 June 2015
Global Polio Eradication Initiative
[Editor’s Excerpt and text bolding]
Full report: http://www.polioeradication.org/Dataandmonitoring/Poliothisweek.aspx
:: In June an outbreak response assessment took place in the Horn of Africa. The team concluded that transmission in Kenya and Ethiopia has been interrupted, however, undetected low level transmission cannot be ruled out in Somalia. They outlined key measures to continue to strengthen immunity and surveillance, and to put risk mitigation plans in place.
:: Five cases of circulating vaccine derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) have been reported in Madagascar, with dates of onset of paralysis in April and May 2015. These cases are genetically linked to that from September 2014, indicating prolonged and widespread circulation of cVDPV1. The emergency outbreak response is now being intensified to build immunity against the virus in the country, as 25 % of children across Madagascar remain un- or under- immunized.

Selected excerpts from Country-specific Reports
Afghanistan
:: One new polio case was reported in the past week, in Bakwa district of Farah province on the 21 April. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 05 May, in Gulestan district, Farah. The total number of WPV1 cases for 2015 is now four.
Horn of Africa
:: An international outbreak response assessment took place last week in the Horn of Africa, to examine the impact of the regional emergency outbreak response activities. The team concluded that transmission in Kenya and Ethiopia has been interrupted, however, undetected low level transmission cannot be ruled out in Somalia. They outlined key measures to continue to strengthen immunity and surveillance, and to put risk mitigation plans in place.
:: Subnational Immunization Days (SNIDs) are planned in Ethiopia from 1 – 3 July and in Somalia for August, with dates to be confirmed. In September, National Immunization Days are planned in Eritrea and Somalia, and SNIDs in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.