By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The Sudanese Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of poliomyelitis on Aug. 9 after the confirmation of two vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) in South Darfur ((in the west of the country, close to the border with Chad) and Gedaref state (close to the border with Eritrea and Ethiopia).

Sudan map/CIA

In addition, a Radio Dabanga report Friday states the health ministry announced nine new cases of  cVDPV2  yesterday, present in seven states in the country.

Tests also confirmed positive environmental samples of poliovirus type 2 in least nine states, according to WHO. More than 5.2 million children under age 5 live in the affected states and will require urgent vaccination.

Neighboring Ethiopia, Central African Republic and Chad also reported cases, which puts more risks on Sudan, especially Darfur region due to border movements.

This is the first polio outbreak in Sudan since 2009.