Six nations reported extra polio circumstances this week, together with Afghanistan and Pakistan with extra wild poliovirus sort 1 (WPV1) circumstances, based on the most recent weekly replace from the World Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
Afghanistan reported 2 new WPV1 circumstances, 1 in Kandahar and the opposite in Hilmand, placing its whole at 11 for the yr. Pakistan reported 3 extra circumstances, 2 in Balochistan and 1 in Punjab, boosting its quantity to 12 for 2024. Each nations have already doubled the variety of circumstances they reported in 2023.
Elsewhere, 4 African nations reported circumstances involving circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus sort 2 (cVDPV2). The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported 2 circumstances, each in Maindombe. Ethiopia reported a case in Gambella, boosting its whole to 12 for the yr. Nigeria additionally reported 1 extra case, in Jigawa, lifting its whole to 38. South Sudan reported 1 case in Higher Nile, making 7 infections for 2024.
WHO getting ready polio vaccine marketing campaign for Gaza
At a World Well being Group (WHO) briefing this week, Director-Basic Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, mentioned that, following the detection of polio in wastewater samples from Gaza, the WHO is getting ready polio vaccination campaigns and is sending greater than 1 million doses to be administer within the weeks forward.
He mentioned the group is mourning the sudden loss of life of Aidan O’Leary, who was director of the WHO’s Polio Eradication Program. Tedros mentioned that, earlier than O’Leary died whereas on trip along with his household, he was engaged on a plan for 2 rounds of polio vaccination in Gaza focusing on 600,000 youngsters youthful than 8 years outdated.
“We want absolute freedom of motion for well being staff and medical gear to hold out these complicated operations safely and successfully,” Tedros mentioned. “A ceasefire, or at the very least ‘days of tranquility’ throughout preparation and supply of the vaccination campaigns are required to guard youngsters in Gaza from polio.”
