Polio eradication in 2016: How did we do?
Posted by Ruth Lee on Jan 18, 2017
While we still can’t say we’ve done it, we’re closer than ever to eliminating polio.
In 2016, 35 cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV) were reported, and 4 cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) cases reported. Twelve of the WPV cases were in Afghanistan, 19 in Pakistan, and 4 in Nigeria.
Thus far, the outbreak in Nigeria appears to be under control due to the immediate and vigorous response in areas previously controlled by terrorist groups and, thus, inaccessible to polio immunization teams. The most recent case was reported in August 2016. It may be too early yet, however, to make a final determination.
Pakistan is worried about the appearance of the rare Type 2 strain of polio in sewage samples taken in one of the districts in the southwestern part of the country. Special immunization campaigns for children were launched in the provincial capital of Quetta, which have been followed by a 27-district immunization campaign (launched Jan. 16). There have been no new cases of Type 2 polio reported in years, leading the international community to determine it had been eradicated. Pakistan stopped vaccinating children against Type 2 polio, thinking it had been eliminated from Pakistan along with the rest of the world. The immunization focus is on children born after April 2016. The first polio case of the year was just reported, but the strain is not yet known.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban continue to provide security challenges for polio workers. However, Afghanistan and Pakistan are working cooperatively on educational programs to mitigate the effects of the Taliban as they relate to polio immunization programs. A search of the internet did not yield a lot of current news although those more talented than I probably could find more.
The end result of my looking at the 2016 “year-in-review” is that we are closer than ever to our goal. However, actual attainment and the monitoring activities that must continue for years after the last case is reported will continue to have significant costs.
Another major challenge that has recently appeared is that the manufacturers of the vaccine have indicated they cannot supply the amount of vaccine required in 2017, resulting in concern about new outbreaks.
Sometimes, it seems like we’re the rabbit chasing the carrot on the stick and never quite catching it. However, we are Rotarians. Rotarians don’t give up. We are responsible for creating a massive global partnership dedicated to eradicating this terrible disease. We will not waiver. The children of the world are depending on us.
PDG Ruth Lee
District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair