Polio this week - As of 15 February 2012

Wild poliovirus (WPV) cases

Data in WHO as of 15 Feb 2011 for 2011 data and 14 Feb 2012 for 2012 data.

• No new cases were reported in the past week. The total number of cases for 2012 remains three. The total number of cases for 2011 remains 80. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 23 January 2012 (wild poliovirus type 1 - WPV1 - from Hilmand).
• The communication strategic plan was circulated to all partners and feedback was received for incorporation into a finalized document.
• One UNICEF Stop Transmission Of Polio consultant was deployed to Mazar.

• India has not had a case since 13 January 2011, in West Bengal.

• Two new cases were reported in the past week (WPV1 cases in Federally Administrated Tribal Areas and Punjab Province). Both cases had onset of paralysis in 2012, bringing the total number of cases in 2012 to nine. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 20 January. The total number of cases in 2011 remains 198.
• A public service announcement featuring former cricketer Wasim Akram has been developed and is on track to be aired for the March sub-national immunization days.
• 5 million SMS messages were sent in high-risk areas during a recent campaign calling upon parents of missed children to call the Polio Help Line or take children to the nearest health facility.
• Sub-national immunization days are planned for 12-14 March using bivalent oral polio vaccine.

• No new cases were reported in the past week. The total number of cases for 2011 remains five. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 7 July (WPV1 from Uige).
• National immunization days are planned for 2-4 March using bivalent oral polio vaccine, 30 March-1 April using bivalent oral polio vaccine, and 22-24 June using trivalent oral polio vaccine. Vaccination during a child health day using trivalent polio vaccine in combination with tetanus toxoid is planned for May.

• No new cases were reported in the past week. The total number of cases for 2012 remains once (Chad). The most recent case was a WPV1 in Chad (Logone Oriental), with onset of paralysis on 9 January. The total number of cases for 2011 remains 137 (132 in Chad, four in Central African Republic and one in Cameroon).
• Mia Farrow is in Chad for a visit (12-17 February). Her plans include meeting with HE President of Chad, Idriss Deby, the Prime Minister, Emmanuel Nadingar and three ministers.
• In Chad, national immunization days using bivalent oral polio vaccine are planned for 17-20 February. In Cameroon, subnational immunization days are planned for 1 March in three regions using bivalent oral polio vaccine. In the Central African Republic, the upcoming national immunization days have been postponed to 24-26 February.

• No new cases were reported in the past week. China has a total of 21 cases for 2011, all WPV1. The most recent had onset of paralysis on 9 October from Akesu prefecture.

• No new cases were reported in the past week. The total number of cases for 2011 remains 93. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 20 December (WPV1 from Maniema).
• Seven Stop Transmission of Polio professionals arrived in Kinshasa, were briefed, and are being deployed.
• Mia Farrow will visit the country during late February to highlight the importance of polio eradication.
• Supplementary immunization activities are planned for 24-27 February in key high-risk areas.

• No new cases in the past week. A case of WPV1 with onset of paralysis on 30 July in Nyanza province, western Kenya, remains the only case to be reported in the Horn of Africa in 2011.

• No new cases were reported in the past week. The total number of cases for 2011 in west Africa remains 51 (36 from Côte d'Ivoire, three from Guinea, seven from Mali and five from Niger). All cases are WPV3, except for four WPV1 cases from Niger.
• Rapid surveillance assessment started on 13 February in Côte d'Ivoire. Rapid surveillance assessments are ongoing in Guinea and planned for Mali.