In an update on the global polio situation in 2017, there were two separate outbreaks of circulating vaccine derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), two cases of cVDPV2 were reported in Haut Lomami province in the southern part of the country and two cases in Maniema province in the east-central region.
GPEI says outbreak response plans are currently being finalized, with supplementary immunization activities using monovalent oral polio vaccine type 2 (mOPV2) in line with internationally-agreed outbreak response protocols. Surveillance and immunization activities are being strengthened in neighboring countries.
DRC is also battling an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Bas Uele Province in the north-east of the country.
In additional polio news, while the number of wild poliovirus (WPV) cases on the planet remain at 5 (3 in Afghanistan and 2 in Pakistan), eight environmental samples between the two countries tested positive for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1).
Related:
- Cholera on the Horn of Africa
- Niger meningitis outbreak: MSF teams have vaccinated more than 358,800 people
- Meningitis established as cause of Liberia cluster
- Nigeria meningitis outbreak climbs past 14,000 cases, situation improving
- Malaria outbreak: More than 1300 cases reported in Mpumalanga
- Monkeypox outbreak in Congo: 70 cases, 4 deaths
