Angola - Polio outbreak 2024

[Pathfinder]

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 19: 06 to 12 May 2024
Data as reported by: 17:00; 12 May 2024
...
All events currently being monitored
by WHO AFRO
...
Angola Poliomyelitis
(cVDPV2)

Grade Grade 2
Date notified to WCO 15-May-2024
Start of reporting period 15-May-2024
End of reporting period 15-May-2024
Total cases 1
Cases Confirmed 1
Deaths 0
CFR 0.00%

A case of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2) in a child of one year and three months was reported in the province of Lunda-Norte. According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), this is the only case reported this year in the country as of 15 May 2024.

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/...d-emergencies-bulletin-week-19-06-12-may-2024

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Angola aims to vaccinate over 5 million children to ensure a polio-free nation.

17 May 2024

As a result of the commendable work of the Ministry of Health and partners in strengthening immunisation, Angola has been free of wild poliovirus since July 2011 and declared the interruption of polio transmission in November 2015. This milestone demonstrates the government's continued commitment to public health and represents hope for a future free of vaccine-preventable diseases.

The national campaign against polio, which runs until Sunday, will use a door-to-door strategy and fixed and mobile posts and aim to vaccinate more than 5.5 million children under the age of five across the country.

Unfortunately, this year, Angola saw a concerning development. Four cases of Poliovirus Type 2 have been detected in environmental samples of sewage water collected in the Luanda, Huambo, and Lunda Norte provinces. Additionally, two cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) have been reported in the province of Lunda Norte, in the municipality of Chitato. This situation is not just a concern; it's a call to action. It underscores the urgency of the national polio vaccination campaign and the danger of continued poliovirus transmission among children.

'Vaccinating our children is not just a public health measure but, more than that, it is a commitment to the progress and prosperity of our country,' said the Secretary of State for Public Health, Dr Carlos Alberto Pinto de Sousa, during the official launch ceremony of the polio campaign, held in Luanda. “This is a crucial step in maintaining our polio-free status and ensuring the health and future of our children.”

The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other UN agencies are integral team members, collaborating closely with the Angolan government to ensure all children are protected. “Together, we are committed to the decisive challenge of vaccinating all children and eradicating polio worldwide”, said UN Resident Coordinator Zahira Virani during the ceremony, reiterating the unwavering support of the UN agencies in ensuring vaccination coverage for all children, leaving no child behind.

“We must do our part by informing our families, friends, colleagues, and neighbours about the vaccination campaign. Let's maintain Angola's status as a polio-free country!”

Polio, also known as polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute infectious-contagious disease transmitted by direct contact with faeces. Vaccination is the primary tool for preventing the spread of the poliovirus and protecting children.
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https://www.afro.who.int/countries/...r-5-million-children-ensure-polio-free-nation

 

[Pathfinder]

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 26: 24 to 30 June 2024
Data as reported by: 17:00; 30 June 2024
...
Angola
Poliomyelitis (cVDPV2)
...
EVENT DESCRIPTION

On 21 June 2024, a new case of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP)
was confirmed as circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2
(cVDPV2) in week 9, 2024. This brings the total number of VDPV2
cases to 10 as of 23 June 2024. The latest confirmed case is
a 2-year-old girl from Alto Zambeze Municipality in Moxico
Province who experienced paralysis onset on 11 May 2024
with no prior polio vaccination history. Additionally, the girl had
no recent travel history outside the country, and genetic analysis
indicates no linkage to any known circulating viruses in Angola.
Out of the 10 cases, nine were confirmed as circulating
vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), while one had
vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2). The confirmed
cases were reported in Lunda Norte (6), Luanda (2), Huambo
(1), and Moxico (1) Provinces. Four of these were detected in
children under five and six in the environment. Three of these
cases were acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and had contact
with one healthy child. The investment in the surveillance
capacity has been a resounding success, leading to
timely detection and response to possible polio threats.
In 2024, a total of 185 AFP cases were reported from January
to June 2024, and 467 cases were reported in the past 12
months. The national detection rate for AFP is 3 per 100 000
people, which is higher than the 2.5 rate reported during
the same period in 2023. There was an improvement from
a 2.9 annual rate of non-polio AFP (NP AFP) last year from
1.6 per 100 000 for children under 15 years. Moreover,
the percentage of adequate samples collected for testing
has decreased to 82.0% compared to 90.0% last year.
Regarding detection rate and adequate sample percentage,
31.0% of districts achieved both key indicators, 32.0% achieved
at least one indicator, and 30% reported cases but did not meet
either benchmark. Out of the 163 districts in Angola, 12 districts
(7.0%) did not report any AFP cases in 2023. There are 17 AFP
cases reported this year awaiting classification by the National
Poliovirus Elimination Committee due to unsuitable samples.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

Intensified coordination through regular meetings of
the national committee and sub-national committees
across Angola.

To interrupt the ongoing poliovirus transmission and
protect children from childhood paralysis, the Ministry
of Health, with the support of the WHO, UNICEF, GAVI,
CDC, BMG, Rotary International, and other strategic
partners in the fight against polio, conducted the
second round of the polio vaccination campaign from
June 28 to 30, 2024.

A national immunization campaign targeting 3.8 million
children under 5 years old across 88 municipalities in
11 provinces is underway, a supplemental vaccination
aiming to interrupt the spread of the virus.
Public health officials are actively monitoring the
situation and urging all parents to ensure their children
under five are fully vaccinated against polio.
Strengthened environmental polio surveillance across
the country. There is continued laboratory confirmation
of cases, and sample collection for early outbreak
detection.

Strengthened advocacy and community engagement
through community awareness campaigns, media
outreach, and community campaigns.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

Angola is experiencing an outbreak of circulating
vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2. Overall, AFP cases in
2024 are higher than in 2023, necessitating urgent action
from the government and all stakeholders. The country
has since strengthened the public health response,
which includes vaccination campaigns, surveillance
improvements, and community engagement. However,
continued vigilance is needed to ensure the end of the
outbreak due to the increased AFP detection rate and
decreased adequate sample collection that has been
identified as a challenge in Angola.

https://www.afro.who.int/publications/outbreak-and-other-emergencies-week-26-24-30-june-2024
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