World Health Organization Polio Update
Posted by Jim Stickler
on Aug 14, 2015
World Health Organization Wild Polio Virus Update
Week ending 12 August
Week ending 12 August
11 August marked one full year without a case of wild poliovirus confirmed on the African continent for
the first time in history.
the first time in history.
Six weeks are required for all remaining samples in the laboratory to be processed
and confirmed negative for poliovirus before there can be more confidence in a polio-free year in Africa. To
end polio for good worldwide, there is much still to be done: surveillance needs to be strengthened so that we
are sure no virus continues to circulate undetected; every last child needs to be reached with polio vaccines;
momentum must be maintained in Africa, and transmission must be stopped in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Afghanistan:
and confirmed negative for poliovirus before there can be more confidence in a polio-free year in Africa. To
end polio for good worldwide, there is much still to be done: surveillance needs to be strengthened so that we
are sure no virus continues to circulate undetected; every last child needs to be reached with polio vaccines;
momentum must be maintained in Africa, and transmission must be stopped in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Afghanistan:
One new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case was confirmed this week in Achin
district of Nangarhar, which is the first case in the province this year. This most recent case had onset of
paralysis on 17 July. The total number of WPV1 cases for 2015 is now seven.
Nigeria:
district of Nangarhar, which is the first case in the province this year. This most recent case had onset of
paralysis on 17 July. The total number of WPV1 cases for 2015 is now seven.
Nigeria:
No new case of WPV1 was reported in the past week. Nigeria’s total case count for 2014
remains 6. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 24 July 2014 in Sumaila Local Government Area
(LGA), southern Kano state.
Pakistan:
One new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases was confirmed this week in Peshawar
district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with onset of paralyses on 8 June. The most recent case, also reported in
Peshawar district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had onset of paralysis on 30 June; the location of this case is still
under review. The total number of WPV1 cases for 2015 is now 29, compared to 108 at this time last year.
remains 6. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 24 July 2014 in Sumaila Local Government Area
(LGA), southern Kano state.
Pakistan:
One new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases was confirmed this week in Peshawar
district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with onset of paralyses on 8 June. The most recent case, also reported in
Peshawar district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had onset of paralysis on 30 June; the location of this case is still
under review. The total number of WPV1 cases for 2015 is now 29, compared to 108 at this time last year.