Poliomyelitis in Afghanistan, Africa and India
19 November 2009
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched in 1988 and has been successful in reducing the incidence of poliomyelitis by 99%. In 1988 more than 350,000 children were paralysed by the infection which was present in more than 125 countries.
In 2009, 1,020 poliomyelitis cases have been reported worldwide. Only four countries
have yet to interupt the ongoing transmission of poliomyelitis; Afghanistan, India,
Pakistan and Nigeria.
However outbreaks in previously polio-free areas are ongoing in west Africa, central
Africa and the Horn of Africa. See below for a Global Polio Eradication Initiative
situation update.
Afghanistan - The total number of poliomyelitis cases reported from Afghanistan in 2009, is 24. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 1 Oct, and was from Kandahar. The latest round of immunisations took place between 15-17 Nov 2009.
Angola - One new case of poliomyelitis was reported from Benguela in the past week. The total number of cases for 2009 is 28. The next immunisation days are planned for Benguela, Cuanza Sul, Cuanza Norte, and Bengo from 13-15 Nov and 4-6 Dec 2009.
Cameroon - The total number of poliomyelitis cases in Cameroon for 2009 remains at two. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 31 Aug and was reported from Extreme Nord Province. Immunisation days are planned for 4-6 Dec 2009.Map of Cameroon.
Chad - Nine new cases of wild poliovirus were reported in the past week (the high number is due to a delay in the reporting process). The total number of poliomyelitis cases for 2009 is 33. The most recent case was from Moyen-Chari and had onset of paralysis on 20 Sep 2009. Further immunisation days are planned for 4 Dec.
Guinea - One new case of poliomyelitis was reported in the past week from Mamou, with onset of paralysis on 19 Sep 2009. The total number of cases in Guinea for 2009 is 33. Immunisation days are planned for 4 Dec 2009.
India - In the past two weeks, 40 new poliomyelitis cases were reported in India, bringing the total number of cases for 2009 to 568. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 21 Oct 2009, and was from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. An immunisation campaign is planned for the high risk areas of western Uttar Pradesh and Bihar state early in 2010.
Kenya - No new poliomyelitis cases were reported in the past week. The total number of cases for 2009 is 18; the most recent case had onset of paralysis on 30 July. An immunisation campaign has just been completed, 380,000 children under the age of 15 years have been immunised in the three Turkana districts of the Rift Valley province.
Mauritania - Mauritania has reported its first cases of wild polio virus since 2001. Both cases are children from the coastal city of Nouakchott. Genetic sequencing indicates that the virus is of Nigerian origin which has spread through re-infected west African countries in 2008/2009. An emergency response team is trying to assess the risks to neighbouring polio-free countries and has drawn up an immunisation plan.
Nigeria - One new case of poliomyelitis was reported in the last week from Zamfara State. This brings the total number of cases for 2009 to 383; this compares with 753 for the same time period in 2008. The next round of immunisations is to take place between 21-24 Nov 2009.
Sudan - No new poliomyelitis cases were reported in the past week. The total number of cases for 2009 is 45. In southern Sudan immunisation days were held in North Bahr El Ghazal; the state with the most recent case. The second round of immunisations is planned for 7 Dec 2009.
Advice for travellers
It is recommended that travellers to these countries have a poliomyelitis booster (or course) if not already protected and should take precautions with food, water and personal hygiene.
Sources