Madagascar 2015 - 9 cases of vaccine derived polio

[Gert van der Hoek]

computertranslation

Madagascar: Poliomyelitis - Cases of acute flaccid paralysis suspected

May 5, 2015

The vaccination campaign against polio reported cases of acute flaccid paralysis. Stool samples are sent to the Pasteur Institute of Madagascar.

The strategy of door-to-door bearing fruit. The vaccination campaign against polio, held last week throughout the country, discovered suspected cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). This is the case of District Health Service Mananara Avaratra, where three cases were detected until last Thursday. Two of these cases are identified in Mananara-town, while the other was reported in the municipality of Manambolosy at Mananara- Avaratra.

District doctors were quick to send stool samples of patients at the Pasteur Institute of Madagascar, for confirmation. A source with the District Health Department Antananarivo-ville, a case has also been identified in basic health center level 2 (CSB II) Mahamasina. A descent on the ground looks urgent.

AllAfrica.com

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.who.int/csr/don/24-july-2015-polio/en/
[h=1]Poliovirus in Madagascar[/h] Disease outbreak news
24 July 2015

In Madagascar, 8 new cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) have been confirmed, with dates of onset of paralysis ranging from 22 April to 29 May 2015. These new cases are genetically linked to cVDPV1 isolated from a case with onset on 29 September 2014, which indicates that the circulation of cVDPV 1 first detected in September 2014 continues and is geographically wide-spread. Five of the new cases are from Androy region in the south of the country while the other cases are from Menabe, Anosy and Boeni regions in the centre of Madagascar. The previous case with onset in September occurred in Sofia region, which is situated in the north of the country.
[h=3]Public health response[/h] Since the detection of the September case, outbreak response activities have been conducted throughout the country, including subnational immunization days and national immunization days held in December and April, respectively. Nevertheless, the extent, timeliness and quality of the outbreak response to date have been insufficient to interrupt circulation of this strain, and were further complicated by flooding affecting the country. More than 25% of children across Madagascar remain un- or under-immunized. The emergency outbreak response has recently been further intensified.
[h=3]WHO risk assessment[/h] Circulating VDPVs are rare but well-documented strains of poliovirus that can emerge in some populations which are inadequately immunized. A robust outbreak response can rapidly stop such events from occurring. The emergence of cVDPV strains underscores the importance of maintaining high levels of routine vaccination coverage. Multiple cVDPV strains have emerged in Madagascar during the last 15 years and their transmission has been interrupted following implementation of supplementary immunization campaigns. WHO currently assesses the risk of international spread from Madagascar to be low.
[h=3]WHO advice[/h] It is important that all countries, in particular those with frequent travel and contacts with polio-affected countries and areas, strengthen surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases in order to rapidly detect any new virus importation and to facilitate a rapid response. Countries, territories and areas should also maintain uniformly high routine immunization coverage at the district level to minimize the consequences of any new virus introduction.
WHO?s International Travel and Health recommends that all travellers to polio-affected areas be fully vaccinated against polio. Residents (and visitors for more than 4 weeks) from infected areas should receive an additional dose of OPV or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) within 4 weeks to 12 months of travel.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Polio in Madagascar

What is the current situation?

According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, 9 cases of polio have been reported in Madagascar. CDC recommends that all travelers toMadagascar be fully vaccinated against polio. In addition, adults who have been fully vaccinated should receive a single lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.

What is polio?

Polio is a disease caused by a virus that affects the nervous system and is mainly spread by person-to-person contact. Polio can also be spread by drinking water or other drinks or eating raw or undercooked food that are contaminated with the feces of an infected person.
Most people with polio do not feel sick. Some people have only minor symptoms, such as fever, tiredness, nausea, headache, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, stiffness in the neck and back, and pain in the arms and legs. Most people recover completely. In rare cases, polio infection causes permanent loss of muscle function in the arms or legs (usually the legs); if there is loss of function of the muscles used for breathing or infection of the brain, death can occur.

What can travelers do to prevent polio?

• Get the polio vaccine:
  • Ask your doctor or nurse to find out if you are up-to-date with your polio vaccination and whether you need a booster dose before traveling. Even if you were vaccinated as a child or have been sick with polio before, you may need a booster dose to make sure that you are protected. See individual destination pages for vaccine recommendation information.
  • Make sure children are vaccinated.
  • See Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for more information.
• Eat safe foods and drink safe beverages: Follow the Food and Water Safety tips to avoid eating or drinking things that could be contaminated with polio.
• Practice hygiene and cleanliness:
  • Wash your hands often.
  • If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
  • Try to avoid close contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people who are sick.