By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

In a follow-up on the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) case reported in Ukraine, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) added some information concerning the case this week.

GPEI reports the current isolate is closely linked to the virus originating in Pakistan which has also been a cause of ongoing cVDPV2 outbreak in Tajikistan.

Local authorities, along with WHO regional and country teams, are conducting further investigations to determine the source of the isolated virus, whether there has been transmission within Ukraine, and to ascertain any potential risk of further spread.

Supplemental vaccination of all young children in the affected area is planned to ensure catch up for any children who may have missed routine polio vaccination and ensure that all are protected from the disease.  This started on October 11 and will continue to October 22 with inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) for children aged less than five years of age, regardless of previous vaccination history, in the immediate area of where the case was detected.

Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube

In 2015, Ukraine was affected by a circulating VDPV type 1, resulting in two cases at the time.  This outbreak was successfully stopped in 2016. An ambiguous VDPV type 2 was reported in Odesa province of Ukraine in 2016. The latest detection in Rivne is unrelated to the 2015 outbreak and 2016 isolation.

National coverage in Ukraine with the first dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine—which protects against all three types of polioviruses—was 87% in 2020, according to WHO/UNICEF estimates. However, subnational coverage varies and is reportedly below 50% in some regions of the country.

Norway: Outbreaks by agents other than SARS-CoV-2 halve in 2020

Serbia reports more than 1 million COVID-19 cases

Sweden and Norway pause use of Moderna vaccine due to Myocarditis risk

Ukraine: Anthrax detected in pony in Ternopil