Attachments
Highlights
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To date, Zimbabwe has detected twenty-one (21) circulating vaccine derived polio virus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases in environmental samples (ES) in Harare since October 2023. The samples were from four polio environmental surveillance sites in Harare.
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The Polio outbreak was declared a public health emergency (PHE) by the Minister of Health and Child Care in October 2023.
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An index human cVDPV2 was reported in a 10-year-old female acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) case in January 2024.
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In the reporting period four new cVDP2 and one cVDPV1 cases have been reported from environmental sites (ES) in Harare. The samples were from four polio environmental surveillance sites in Harare.
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No new acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) case reported this reporting weeks (cumulative 23) with a NPAFP rate at 1.3 per cent children over 15 years.
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Round one campaign has been completed in the country, with a cumulative coverage of about 4.6 million (108 per cent) of targeted children.
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Preparations and pre-campaign activities have been accelerated for round two in the country which will be conducted from 19 March to 23 March 2024 across the country.
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
Zimbabwe last reported a case of indigenous Wild Polio Virus (WPV) in 1986 and had been certified polio free in 2005. Following the detection of WPV1 in Mozambique and Malawi, in 2022, Zimbabwe also undertook the multi-country supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) with bOPV2 and managed to conduct four rounds of SIA.
To date, Zimbabwe has detected 21 circulating vaccine derived polio virus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases from environmental samples in Harare since October 2023. The samples were from the four polio environmental surveillance sites in Harare.
The cVDPV2 outbreak was declared a public health emergency by the Minister of Health and Childcare (MOHCC) in October 2023. Polio outbreak response activities commenced with plans to conduct two supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) using novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). Round one campaign has been completed reaching about 108 per cent (4.6 million) of the targeted children in February 2024. Round two campaign will be conducted from 19 March to 23 March 2024.
A total of four samples confirmed cVDPV2 from environmental sites were reported during the reporting period. Total cVDPV2 from ES sites is currently 21 and one only from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). Additionally, one cVDPV1 was also confirmed from Mbare ES site in Harare last week.
The risk of poliovirus spreading within the country and neighbouring countries remains high. Special considerations need to be made in the polio outbreak response for special populations that include vaccine hesitant religious groups with high concentration in Manicaland (Buhera, Mutasa and Mutare districts), populations in refugee camps (Tongogara in Manicaland and Waterfalls transit camp in Harare), populations along borders, cross border traders, artisanal miners, and populations in emerging peri urban settlements in Harare.