Africa’s largest polio vaccination campaign

Africa’s largest polio vaccination campaign

One Wild Polio cases reported this week.  We are now 1 week since the most recent reported Wild Polio Case – on 5/16/23 in Afghanistan. 

What is that Polio Picture? Africa’s largest polio vaccination campaign since 2020 kicks off today in three West and Central African countries, in a combined effort by national health authorities to immunize a total 21 million children under the age of five.

The exercise, which will begin in Cameroon, Chad and Niger before being extended to the Central African Republic next week, comes in response to 14 detections of type-2 poliovirus in the countries so far this year: one sample from environmental surveillance in Niger tested positive; six confirmed cases were reported in Chad; and seven in the Central African Republic.

  • Novel OPV2 rollout: To date, approximately 620 million doses of nOPV2 have been administered across 29 countries under its WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL). An additional 14 countries have met the requirements for nOPV2 use in the event of an outbreak. For more information on nOPV2, visit: www.polioeradication.org/nOPV2
A Win Against Polio is a Win for Global Health!

2023 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Cases – 91 Benin – 2, Central African Republic – 7, Chad – 8, Cite d’ Ivoire – 1, DR Congo – 49, Indonesia – 3, Israel – 1, Madagascar – 9, Mozambique – 3, Nigeria – 6, Somalia – 2.

New Polio Cases & Samples This Week –

    • Afghanistan: one WPV1 case
    • Pakistan: two WPV1 positive environmental samples
    • Algeria: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample
    • Burundi: four cVDPV2 positive environmental samples
    • Central African Republic: one cVDPV2 case
    • United States of America (New York): 16 cVDPV2 positive environmental sample

Summary of new Polioviruses This Week –

    • Afghanistan: one WPV1 case and five WPV1 positive environmental samples
    • Pakistan: two WPV1 positive environmental samples
    • Chad: two cVDPV2 cases
    • DRC: five cVDPV2 cases
    • Zambia: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample

2022 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Case Total – 909 Afghanistan – 43, Algeria – 3, Benin – 11 (3 in 2021), Burundi – 1, Cameroon – 3 (3 in 2021), Central African Republic – 5, Chad -44 (0 in 2021), DR Congo – 507 (28 in 2021), Republic of Congo – 1, Eritrea – 1, Ethiopia – 1, Ghana – 3, Indonesia – 1, Israel – 1, Madagascar – 14 (13 in 2021), Malawi – 4, Mali – 2, Mozambique – 22 (2 in 2021), Niger – 15 (18 in 2021), Nigeria – 48 (415 in 2021), Pakistan – 8, Somalia – 5 (1 in 2021), Sudan – 1, Togo – 2, United States – 1, Yemen – 162 (69 in 2021).

2021 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Cases -689 in 22 Countries.  

2020 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Cases – 1,113 in 26 countries in 2020.

Quote of the Day

“Just because you haven’t found your talent yet, doesn’t mean you don’t have one.

— Kermit the Frog, from the Muppets 

The Final Two Polio Endemic Countries:

Pakistan

 

 

as of 6/10/2023

0 new Polio cases reported this week. The most recent cases had an onset of paralysis on 2/20/23.
2 WPV1 and 0 CVDPV2-Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Afghanistan.
1 Wild Polio cases – 2023
20 Wild Polio cases – 2022
1 Wild Polio case – 2021
84 Wild Polio cases – 2020

Afghanistan

 

 

as of 6/10/2023

2 new Polio cases reported this week. The most recent cases had an onset of paralysis on 5/16/23.
5 WPV1 and 0 CVDPV2-Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Afghanistan.
4 Wild Polio cases – 2023
2 Wild Polio case – 2022
4 Wild Polio cases – 2021
56 Wild Polio cases – 2020

Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!!

Terry Ziegler, Polio Update Newsletter Editor Rotary Region 36

The Fight against falling immunization rates

The Fight against falling immunization rates

What is that Polio Picture? 

The Fight against falling immunization rates – In Senegal last month, African heads of state came together at the Forum on Immunization and Polio Eradication in Africa to reaffirm their commitments to tackle declining immunization rates and the resurgence of polio across the region. To ensure vaccines safely reach each child, specific strategies must be deployed in every country and sub-region, dependent on conflict zones and political climate. With careful planning and political commitment, investment in routine immunization efforts, and a focus on restrengthening health systems across Africa, we can improve efforts to end polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.


January 13, 2023 marks 12 years since the last case of wild poliovirus in India – a remarkable public health success.

“It seemed impossible until it was done!”

– Dr Hamid Jafari, Director of Polio for WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region

Dr. Jafari said reflecting on his time eradicating polio in India and what lessons we can take from this to address the final challenges for achieving eradication in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

 A Win Against Polio is a Win for Global Health!

2023 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Cases – 0

New Polio Cases & Samples This Week –Afghanistan – 2 WPV1 Samples, Algeria – 1 cVDPV2 Sample, Cameroon – 1 cVDPV2 Case, Chad – 2 cVDPV Cases, DR Congo – 16 cVDPV1 Cases + 19 cVDPV2 Cases, Nigeria – 1 cVDPV2 Case, Somalia – 1 cVDPV2 Case, Zambia – 2 cVDPV Samples.

2022 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Case Total – 660.  Afghanistan – 43, Algeria – 2, Benin – 10 (3 in 2021), Cameroon – 1 (3 in 2021), Central African Republic – 4, Chad – 25 (0 in 2021), DR Congo – 304 (28 in 2021), Eritrea – 1, Ethiopia – 1, Ghana – 3, Indonesia – 1, Israel – 1, Madagascar – 13 (13 in 2021), Malawi – 3, Mozambique – 18 (2 in 2021), Niger – 14 (18 in 2021), Nigeria – 42 (415 in 2021), Pakistan – 8, Somalia – 4 (1 in 2021), Sudan – 1, Togo – 2, United States – 1, Yemen – 159 (69 in 2021).

2021 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Cases -689 in 22 Countries.  

2020 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Cases – 1,113 in 26 countries in 2020.

Quote of the Day

”This is a changing world; we must be prepared to change with it.  The story of Rotary will have to be written again and again.” 

Paul P. Harris, Rotary’s Founder

The Final Two Polio Endemic Countries:

Pakistan

 

 

as of 1/20/2023

0 new Polio cases reported this week. The most recent cases had an onset of paralysis on 9/20/22.
0 WPV1 and 0 CVDPV2-Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Afghanistan.
   20 Wild Polio cases – 2022
   1 Wild Polio case – 2021
   84 Wild Polio cases – 2020

Afghanistan

 

 

as of 1/20/2023

0 new Polio cases reported this week. The most recent cases had an onset of paralysis on 9/10/22.
2 WPV1 and 0 CVDPV2-Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Afghanistan.
   2 Wild Polio case – 2022
   4 Wild Polio cases – 2021
   56 Wild Polio cases – 2020

Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!!

Terry Ziegler, Endowment/Major Gifts Adviser Rotary Region 36

Malawi working to keep Wild Polio cases Low

Malawi working to keep Wild Polio cases Low

No new Wild Polio case was reported this week.

What is that Polio Picture?  Malawi works to ensure that the number of Wild Polio cases stays low – currently at one.

Israel – Reported their first cVDPV2 Case this week.

Ukraine

Rotary statement on the effect of the escalating crisis in Ukraine on polio eradication efforts

Rotary is deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there, including the unfolding effects of the current crisis in Ukraine on the country’s health system.  A functioning health system must be kept neutral and protected from all political or security issues affecting countries to ensure that people have continued access to critical and essential care.

 A Win Against Polio is a Win for Global Health!

2022 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Case Total – 6 DR Congo – 1 (26 in 2021), Israel – 1, Madagascar – 1 (12 in 2021), Nigeria – 2 (415 in 2021), Somalia – 1 (1 in 2021).

2021 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Cases – 637 – Afghanistan – 43 (308 in 2020), Angola – 0 (3 in 2020),Benin – 2 (3 in 2020), Burkina Faso – 1 (65 in 2020), Cameroon – 3 (7 in 2020), CAR – 0 (4 in 2020), Chad – 0 (99 in 2020), Congo – 2 (2 in 2020), Cote d’ Ivoire – 0 (64 in 2020), DR Congo – 27 (81 in 2020), Ethiopia – 10 (36 in 2020), Ghana – 0 (11 in 2020), Guinea – 6 (44 in 2020), Guinea Bissau – 3 (0 on 2020), Liberia – 3 (0 in 2020),Madagascar – 13 (2 in 2020), Mali – 0 (52 in 2020), Malaysia – 0 (1 in 2020), Mozambique – 2, Niger – 15 (10 in 2020), Nigeria – 415 (8 in 2020), Pakistan – 8 (135 in 2020), Philippines – 0 (1 in 2020), Senegal  – 17 (0 in 2020) ,Sierra Leone – 5 (10 in 2020), Somalia – 1 (14 in 2020), South Sudan – 9 (50 in 2020), Sudan – 0 (58 in 2020), Tajikistan – 32 (1 in 2020), Togo – 0 (9 in 2020), Ukraine – 2 (0 in 2020), and Yemen – 13 (33 in 2020).

New This Week – Cote d’ Ivoire – 1 cVDPV2 Sample, DR Congo – 1 vCVDP2 (2021) Case, Israel – 1 cVDPV2 Case + 6 Samples, Mauritania – 1 cVDPV2 Sample, Nigeria – 1 cVDPV2 Case, Occupied Palestine territory – 8 cVDPV2 Samples.

A total of 1,110 Vaccine Derived Polio cases were reported in 26 countries in 2020.

Quote of the Day

“None of us know how long the COVID 19 virus will linger – and as an organization that has worked tirelessly for decades to eradicate Polio, we understand better than most the difficult work that lies ahead.  That’s why we need to remain focused on what is possible – not being nostalgic for the way our lives were, but looking hopefully to a future that uses this opportunity to Serve to Change Lives.”

— SHEKHAR MEHTA, 2021-22 R.I. PRESIDENT

The Final Two Polio Endemic Countries:

Pakistan

 

 

0 new Polio cases were reported this week.
0 Wild Polio cases – 2022 (1 Wild Polio case, 2021). The most recent case had an onset of paralysis on 1/27/21.
84 Wild Polio cases – 2020. No WPV1 or cVDPV2 Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Pakistan.

Afghanistan

 

 

0 new Polio cases reported this week.
1 Wild Polio case – 2022, (4 Wild Polio cases, 2021). The most recent cases had an onset of paralysis on 1/11/22.
56 Wild Polio cases – 2020.  No WPV1 & CVDPV2-Positive Environmental Sample were reported this week in Afghanistan.

Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!!

Terry Ziegler, Endowment/Major Gifts Adviser Rotary Region 36

Immunizations ongoing in Malawi

Immunizations ongoing in Malawi

No new Wild Polio case was reported this week.

What is that Polio Picture? Immunizations ongoing in Malawi.

Malawi – As a result of ongoing disease surveillance, the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) has confirmed the presence of type 1 wild poliovirus (WPV1) in a child suffering from paralysis in Tsabango, Lilongwe, Malawi. Analysis shows that the virus is genetically linked to WPV1 was detected in Pakistan’s Sindh province in October 2019.

The three-year-old girl in Malawi experienced the onset of paralysis on 19 November 2021, and stool specimens were collected for testing on 26 and 27 November. Sequencing of the virus conducted in February by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed this case as WPV1.

Detection of WPV1 outside the world’s two remaining endemic countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, is a serious concern and underscores the importance of prioritizing polio immunization activities. Until polio is fully eradicated, all countries remain at risk of importation and must maintain high vaccination coverage to protect all children from polio.

The GPEI is supporting health authorities in Malawi to conduct a thorough assessment of the situation and begin urgent immunization activities in the sub-region to mitigate any risk of spread. Surveillance measures are also being expanded in Malawi and neighboring countries to detect any other potential undetected transmission.

As an imported case from Pakistan, this detection does not affect the WHO African Region’s wild poliovirus-free certification status officially marked in August 2020. Malawi last recorded a case of wild poliovirus in 1992. The polio eradication program has seen importations from endemic countries to regions that have been certified wild poliovirus-free in the past and have moved quickly to successfully stop transmission of the virus in these areas.

 

 Afghanistan

After the safe and successful rollout of nationwide polio campaigns since November 2021, we have received the tragic news that 8 health workers at the forefront have been killed this morning in a series of shootings in Takhar and Kunduz in northeast Afghanistan.  The vaccination campaign has been suspended in both provinces. 

A statement has been issued by the Regional Director of WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, as well as by the United Nations in the country, condemning these attacks, expressing condolences to the families, and underscoring that the provision of health and the safety of health workers at the forefront are paramount, and must be kept neutral to any geo-political situation anywhere.

Our thoughts and prayers are both with the families and our teams on the ground at this time.

 A Win Against Polio is a Win for Global Health!

2022 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Case Total – 4  DR Congo – 1 (26 in 2021), Madagascar – 1 (12 in 2021), Nigeria – 1 (415 in 2021), Somalia – 1 (1 in 2021).

2021 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Cases – 635 Afghanistan – 43 (308 in 2020), Angola – 0 (3 in 2020),Benin – 2 (3 in 2020), Burkina Faso – 1 (65 in 2020), Cameroon – 3 (7 in 2020), CAR – 0 (4 in 2020), Chad – 0 (99 in 2020), Congo – 2 (2 in 2020), Cote d’ Ivoire – 0 (64 in 2020), DR Congo – 26 (81 in 2020), Ethiopia – 10 (36 in 2020), Ghana – 0 (11 in 2020), Guinea – 6 (44 in 2020), Guinea Bissau – 3 (0 on 2020), Liberia – 3 (0 in 2020),Madagascar – 12 (2 in 2020), Mali – 0 (52 in 2020), Malaysia – 0 (1 in 2020), Mozambique – 2, Niger – 15 (10 in 2020), Nigeria – 415 (8 in 2020), Pakistan – 8 (135 in 2020), Philippines – 0 (1 in 2020), Senegal  – 17 (0 in 2020) ,Sierra Leone – 5 (10 in 2020), Somalia – 1 (14 in 2020), South Sudan – 9 (50 in 2020), Sudan – 0 (58 in 2020), Tajikistan – 32 (1 in 2020), Togo – 0 (9 in 2020), Ukraine – 2 (0 in 2020), and Yemen – 13 (33 in 2020).

New This WeekDR Congo – 2 cVDPV2 Case, Madagascar – 2 cVDPV2 Case + 6 Samples, Malawi – 1 WPV1 Case, Nigeria – 3 cVDPV2 Cases + 8 cVDPV2 Samples, Yemen 3 cDVPV2 Cases.

A total of 1,110 Vaccine Derived Polio cases were reported in 26 countries in 2020.

Quote of the Day

“The Rotary Foundation is far too great to keep to ourselves.  Let’s make sure to let the Foundation’s light shine bright.  In doing so, we will find new partners, gain new supporters, and increase the good we’re all doing in the world.”

JOHN F. GERM, ROTARY FOUNDATION TRUSTEE CHAIR

The Final Two Polio Endemic Countries:

Pakistan

 

 

0 new Polio cases were reported this week.
0 Wild Polio cases – 2022 (1 Wild Polio case, 2021). The most recent case had an onset of paralysis on 1/27/21.
84 Wild Polio cases – 2020. No WPV1 or cVDPV2 Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Pakistan.

Afghanistan

 

 

0 new Polio cases reported this week.
1 Wild Polio case – 2022, (4 Wild Polio cases, 2021). The most recent cases had an onset of paralysis on 1/11/22.
56 Wild Polio cases – 2020.  No WPV1 & CVDPV2-Positive Environmental Sample were reported this week in Afghanistan.

Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!!

Terry Ziegler, Endowment/Major Gifts Adviser Rotary Region 36

the last 12 months Wild Polio Cases Map

the last 12 months Wild Polio Cases Map

One new Wild Polio cases reported this week!

What is that Polio Picture? This Map shows the last 12 months Wild Polio Cases (in Red) and the Circulating Vaccine Derived Cases (in Green). Download the map

 A Win Against Polio is a Win for Global Health!

2021 Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Cases – 466 – Afghanistan – 43 (308 in 2020), Angola – 0 (3 in 2020),Benin – 2 (3 in 2020), Burkina Faso – 1 (65 in 2020), Cameroon – 3 (7 in 2020), CAR – 0 (4 in 2020), Chad – 0 (99 in 2020), Congo – 2 (2 in 2020), Cote d’ Ivoire – 0 (64 in 2020), DRC – 11 (81 in 2020), Ethiopia – 9 (36 in 2020), Ghana – 0 (11 in 2020), Guinea – 6 (44 in 2020), Guinea Bissau – 3 (0 on 2020), Liberia – 3 (0 in 2020),Madagascar – 10 (2 in 2020), Mali – 0 (52 in 2020), Malaysia – 0 (1 in 2020),  Niger – 5 (10 in 2020), Nigeria – 289 (8 in 2020), Pakistan – 8 (135 in 2020), Philippines – 0 (1 in 2020), Senegal  – 16 (0 in 2020) ,Sierra Leone – 5 (10 in 2020), Somalia – 1 (14 in 2020), South Sudan – 9 (50 in 2020), Sudan – 0 (58 in 2020), Tajikistan – 32 (1 in 2020), Togo – 0 (9 in 2020), Ukraine – 1 (0 in 2020), and Yemen – 5 (33 in 2020).

New This Week – Cote d’Ivoire  – 1 cVDPV2 (2020) Case, Guinea – 1 cVDPV2 Sample, Nigeria – 12 cVDPV2 Samples, Senegal – 2 cVDPV2 Samples.

A total of 1,110 Vaccine Derived Polio cases were reported in 26 countries in 2020.

Quote of the Day

“Not knowing what other people are thinking is not the cause of much human misery, but failing to understand the workings of one’s own mind is bound to lead to unhappiness.

—Marcus Aurelius

The Final Two Polio Endemic Countries:

Pakistan

 

 

0 new Polio cases reported this week.
1 Wild Polio cases – 2021. The most recent case had an onset of paralysis on 1/27/21.
84 Wild Polio cases – 2020.  No WPV1 & CVDPV2 Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Pakistan.

Afghanistan

 

 

0 New Polio cases reported this past week.
4 Wild Polio case – 2021. The most recent cases had an onset of paralysis on 11/1/21.
56 Wild Polio cases – 2020.  No WPV1 & CVDPV2-Positive Environmental Sample were reported this week in Afghanistan.

Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!!

Terry Ziegler, Endowment/Major Gifts Adviser Rotary Region 36