Sobering news was delivered last week with the advice that ONE further case of the wild polio virus was reported in Afghanistan, taking the total in that country to FOUR.  Just ONE case has been reported in neighbouring Pakistan which means a total of just FIVE wpv cases in the world this year!
 
This is exciting news,  given there were 140 cases reported throughout the world in 2020 – 84 in Pakistan and 29 in Afghanistan.
 
RI’s Polio Plus Chair and RI Past Vice President Mike McGovern recently returned from meetings in Pakistan and personally reported to the IPPC meeting.
He explained that the impact of our intense vaccination campaigns was now very positive.
‘The 84 cases in Pakistan last year were spread throughout 39 Districts.  This year – just one District – and the cases in Afghanistan were largely contained to one household in Kunduz province,’ he said.
He added that the 70 sampling sites throughout Pakistan had revealed just one positive sample in the last three months and suggested that we have really begun to corner the virus.
 
 
 
Mike said the vaccination campaign was looking to get more engaged in Nigeria in an effort to contain the vaccine derived virus.  Another challenge has presented itself as demand has outstripped supply of the bivalent oral polio vaccine. 
‘We are optimistic moving forward and feel good about showing the way with other health systems. Our campaign is bringing out Rubella and Measles as part of our PolioPlus campaign in Pakistan.’
Mike urged Rotarians to share the news that END POLIO NOW is making progress but there is still a way to go.
 
‘We are working with the Taliban in Afghanistan but the house to house vaccination program has been slow, due to some disturbances by the ISIS group. We are looking to upgrade security,’ he concluded.