Syria polio (cVDPV2) outbreak rises to 27 cases

July 19, 2017

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In a follow-up on the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type-2 (cVDPV2) outbreak in Syria, UN health officials report four additional cases this week, bringing the total to 27.

Mayadeen district in Deir Ez-Zor governorate has seen 26 confirmed cases while 1 case has been confirmed from Tell Abyad district, Raqqa governorate.

Monovalent type-2 oral polio vaccine (mOPV2) reached Deir Ez-Zor on 12 July. Vaccines for Raqqa are scheduled for transport this week, by air to Qamishli, then by road to Tell Abyad and Tabqa (Thawra). Immunization rounds for both Deir Ez-Zor and Raqqa governorates are expected to commence 22 July.

Two immunization rounds are planned for July and August targeting children <5 years of age in Deir Ez-Zor and Raqqa governorates. The southern part of Shadadi district in Hasakah governorate is also included and will be covered by Deir Ez-Zor teams.

First round-Deir Ez-Zor

Vaccine: mOPV2, total target: 328,000 (196,000 resident children and 110,000 refugee and IDP children in Deir Ez-Zor governorate, and 22,000 children in Shadadi).
A total of 355 vaccination teams and 61 supervisors are on standby for this activity. Campaign strategy is house to house in the affected villages and fixed posts in other areas. There are 5 vaccine distribution centers with adequate cold chain in Boukamal, Hajien, Husienieh, Mayadeen, and Sor.

First round—Raqqa

Vaccine: shipping of mOPV2 from Damascus scheduled for this week, total target: 120,000 (109,500 resident children and 10,500 IDP children.
100 locally selected vaccination teams and 21 team supervisors will implement the campaign. There are 2 vaccine distribution centers with adequate cold chain in Tell Abyad hospital and Tabqa health center.