In a follow-up on the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) situation in Syria, three new cases were officially reported in the past week, according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). This brings the total to 33.

Image/CIA
Image/CIA

Onset of paralysis of these cases is between 3 March and 10 July. Thirty-one of the cases are from Deir-Ez-Zour governorate (29 from Mayadeen district, one from Deir-Ez-Zour district and one from Boukamal district); one case is from Talabyad district, Raqqa governorate; and, one is from Tadmour district in Homs governorate.

The first mOPV2 round in Deir-Ez-Zour was successfully carried out between 22-26 July. Independent post-campaign monitoring reflected coverage of 88.4% (based on caregiver recall). The second round is planned for 19-23 August, and will include mOPV2 and IPV.

Raqqa Governorate started mOPV2 campaigns on 12 August.

In addition, Afghanistan reported their sixth wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case of the year. The case was reported in Zabul province, neighboring Kandahar province and Pakistan.

Year-to-date, there has been nine WPV1 cases this year–Afghanistan (6) and Pakistan (3).

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