Tajikistan hit by deadly polio outbreak: WHO

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Re: Tajikistan hit by deadly polio outbreak: WHO

http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_07_23/en/index.html

Polio in Tajikistan ? Update
23 July 2010 -- The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tajikistan has since 1 January 2010 reported 430 cases of polio following the importation of a wild poliovirus type 1 into the country. Nineteen of the cases were fatal. Seven virologically related cases have been detected in the Russian Federation, the only other country in the WHO European Region to confirm cases. The poliovirus causing the outbreak originated in northern India. This is the first outbreak of polio since the Region was certified polio-free in 2002.

In response to the outbreak, four rounds of national immunization days (NIDs) with oral polio vaccine have been held in Tajikistan. Coverage was reported to be high and confirmed by independent monitors. The most recent round was conducted on 15?19 June (except in Dushanbe and six surrounding regions, where it started on 13 June). Preliminary data report nationwide coverage of 99.3%. Coverage higher than 97% is reported from all regions and in the groups aged 0?6 and 7?15 years.

The most recent polio case had onset on 12 June, and the number of new cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) ? of which polio can be one of the causes ? being detected and reported to WHO has dropped sharply. However, there is not sufficient virological testing data from the recent AFP cases to revise WHO's assessment of the risk for further international spread, which remains 'high'.

A joint national/international surveillance review is under way, under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, to further inform the current risk assessment and guide additional surveillance and immunization activities. The need for additional rounds of mass oral polio vaccine (OPV) immunization will be based on an ongoing evaluation of epidemiological and laboratory data. International travellers to and from polio affected areas should continue to be adequately immunized against polio as recommended in Chapter 6 of International Travel and Health guidance.

The European Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication met in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 28?29 June 2010. Addressing the meeting, Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, noted that the outbreak in Tajikistan threatens both the polio-free status of the Region and the eradication of polio globally.

The Commission recognized that the European Region has reached a critical juncture and its polio-free status is in jeopardy. The gravity of the situation requires that all Member States reinforce their polio surveillance so that any spread will be detected rapidly and effective control measures instituted at the earliest possible moment.

Neighbouring countries are responding to the outbreak by heightening surveillance while reviewing immunization status of children and conducting necessary supplementary immunization activities. Uzbekistan has held three national rounds of supplementary immunization with efforts to synchronize these rounds with Tajikistan in May and June. The first round of nationwide NIDs started in Turkmenistan on 12 July 2010, and Kyrgyzstan started its first round on 19 July.

 

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Re: Tajikistan hit by deadly polio outbreak: WHO

http://www.polioeradication.org/casecount.asp

Tajikistan and surrounding countries
12 new cases were reported in the past week, bringing the total number of cases for 2010 to 437. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 4 July.
A surveillance review is under way to ensure that strong AFP surveillance levels are sustained.
To minimize the risk and consequences of international spread of polio from Tajikistan: Uzbekistan has held three national rounds of supplementary immunization. The first round of nationwide NIDs was held in Turkmenistan starting 12 July 2010, and Kyrgyzstan held its first round starting 19 July.

 

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Re: Tajikistan hit by deadly polio outbreak: WHO

http://www.polioeradication.org/casecount.asp

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Tajikistan and surrounding countries
15 new cases were reported in the past week, bringing the total number of cases for 2010 to 452. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 4 July 2010.
All cases except the most recent case have been covered by at least two SIAs.
The incidence of polio cases continues to decline week-on-week, suggesting that the outbreak has peaked. However, the risk of further international spread from Tajikistan remains high.
A surveillance review conducted last week found that overall, surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) was strong. However, it was suggested the country move to a more active system in searching for AFP cases.
A mop-up in highest-risk districts is tentatively planned for early September, with additional NIDs with trivalent OPV in late September and late October.
Neighbouring countries also continue to conduct SIAs.
Results are being awaited from Russia, further to investigations conducted to determine the most likely source of infection of seven WPV cases in the country and their connections to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

 

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Re: Tajikistan hit by deadly polio outbreak: WHO

http://www.polioeradication.org/casecount.asp

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On 24 August, Bono - lead singer of the rock band U2 - met with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, in Sochi, Russia. Among other development and public health topics, both men discussed the importance of stopping polio, which has this year resurged in central Asia with the outbreak in Tajikistan. Bono referred to polio eradication as "low-hanging fruit", as it "nearly eradicated." President Medvedev said: "Polio is an issue that should be of concern to all governments, because only a little while ago, it seemed that this disease was just about disappearing from the face of the earth, thank God. But since then, there have been several outbreaks. And even this summer, we were dealing with this problem, because unfortunately, a number of our neighbouring nations have been affected by this problem. And overall, we need to spend money on these kinds of diseases, especially in nations that have financial problems - first and foremost, African nations." Eight wild poliovirus (WPV) cases have been detected in the Russian Federation, and results are awaited from an investigation to determine the likely origin of infection and connection to the outbreak in Tajikistan.

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Two new cases were reported in the past week, bringing the total number of cases for 2010 to 454. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 4 July 2010.
These most recent cases have already been covered by at least one SIA, having had onset of paralysis on 2 May (covered by two SIAs) and 18 June (covered by one SIA), respectively.
A mop-up in highest-risk districts is planned for 13 September, with NIDs using trivalent OPV to be held from 4 October and 8 November.
Immunization activities are tentatively planned for Uzbekistan in September, and confirmed in Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan this week and tentatively 6 September in Kazakhstan.
Results continue to be awaited from Russia, further to investigations conducted to determine the most likely source of infection of eight WPV cases detected in the country and their connections to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Tajikistan hit by deadly polio outbreak: WHO

machinetranslated


The refusal of parents to vaccinate children - a threat to child health, said Onishchenko

16. 09. 2010

MOSCOW, September 16. Itar-Tass Anna Bazhenova. To have emerged recently a serious problem that a parent refuses to vaccinate children drew the attention of journalists today, chief sanitary doctor Gennady Onishchenko.

"What they do not teach children, it is irresponsible" - he said, adding that "we have a serious health risk to children." Until recently, Russia had 50 thousand 864 children with no vaccinations against polio. Meanwhile, the infection is very dangerous. Infection leads to severe its consequences, to disability. Moreover, the vast majority becoming ill around the world - children. "Recently, we have reduced the number of unvaccinated children - said Onishchenko. - Managed to persuade parents to get vaccinated 16 thousand 300 children." Thus, without a vaccination against polio are 34 thousand 564 children.

In the past three years in Russia to vaccinate children against polio using inactivated / killed / vaccine. In contrast to the "live" it will never cause vaccine-associated polio, it is absolutely safe.

Onishchenko reminded that this spring in Tajikistan was an outbreak of polio. "There were 460 laboratory-confirmed cases of polio from 705 suspected cases," - he said.

Onishchenko also noted that in the near future scheduled tours immunized against polio in Dagestan and Chechnya.

The world is now in a few countries have persistent pockets of polio. Given the migration process, the risk of contracting polio persists for any unvaccinated person.

http://www.ami-tass.ru/article/69607.html

 

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Re: Tajikistan hit by deadly polio outbreak: WHO

http://www.polioeradication.org/casecount.asp

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Two new WPV1 cases were reported in the past week in Tajikistan. Both cases had onset of paralysis in May and have been covered by two immunization activities. The total number of cases (all WPV1) for Tajikistan this year is 458. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 4 July.
A mop-up activity in 34 districts of Tajikistan has been completed. Upcoming SIAs are planned to target all children under 15 from 4-8 October (tOPV) and 8-12 November (tOPV).

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Tajikistan hit by deadly polio outbreak: WHO

machinetranslated excerpt:

Recall that in this year's situation is complicated by poliomyelitis in the outbreak in the Republic of Tajikistan .

As of September 14 in the Republic more than 700 cases of flaccid paralysis, of whom 456 patients with laboratory-confirmed polio caused by "wild" poliovirus first type, of which 20 have been fatal.

More than 80% of the cases reported among children under 6 years old.

http://www.vsluh.ru/news/society/212234.html

 

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Re: Tajikistan hit by deadly polio outbreak: WHO

http://www.polioeradication.org/casecount.asp

Central Asia and Russia
No new cases were reported in the past week.
In Tajikistan, the total number of cases (all WPV1) remains 458. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 4 July. An SIA is being held from 4-8 October, targeting all children under 15 with tOPV. A further SIA is planned from 8-12 November using tOPV.
In Turkmenistan, the total number of cases is three (all WPV1). The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 28 June, and all cases have been covered by two immunization activities. The most recent SIA ended on 29 September, targeting all children less than 15 years of age with mOPV1.
In the Russian Federation, no new cases have been reported. The total number of cases remains 12 WPV1. Only five of these cases are believed to be local transmission, with the balance being attributed to arrivals from polio-infected countries.
Uzbekistan is immunizing nine million children under 15 with mOPV1 from 25-31 October. A surveillance review will take place from 1-5 November.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Tajikistan hit by deadly polio outbreak: WHO


machinetranslated


Outbreak of poliomyelitis in Tajikistan killed 21 people

Dushanbe, October 13. Outbreak of poliomyelitis in Tajikistan in the spring and summer this year has killed 21 people. About it, writes BBC , said Minister of Health Nusratullo Salimov.

He informed that on suspicion of polio have been hospitalized more than 700 people. The presence of polio was confirmed in 405 cases.

But according to Salimov, July 4, of polio in the country have been recorded.

From 4 to 12 October, reported Fergana.ru in Tajikistan were fifth and sixth rounds of National Immunization of children under 15 years of age against polio. The first four rounds against this disease have been in here in the first half of this year. Immunization held in all kindergartens and schools, as well as in clinics and health centers in the community. In the remote inaccessible regions of Tajikistan visited a specially created mobile units, instills children at home.

National Immunization Days in Tajikistan, conducted by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO and UNICEF. For these purposes, Tajikistan has received about 9 million doses of vaccine that will cover nearly 3 million children.

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