Curbing an outbreak of circulating vaccine derived polio virus type 2 in Dolo Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia: response to outbreak

Abstract

Introduction although the oral polio vaccine prevents virus transmission from person to person, it is crucial for poliovirus eradication. The continued use of live attenuated poliovirus poses an ongoing risk of circulating Vaccine Derived Poliovirus-2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks. This study assesses the response to the cVDPV2 outbreak in Dollo Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia. Methods after examining and verifying the occurrence of the outbreak, a team was established and prepared by resource mobilization, advocacy, and social mobilization. The group endorsed a four-step vaccination strategy, first the rapid response within 14-days by vaccinating a monovalent oral poliovirus-2 (mOPV2) to all under 5-year children in the Zone. The team further enhanced Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA) for all under-five children with repeated doses of vaccines. At the same time, the team initiated community-based surveillance of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP). Results in the rapid-response immunization, an average of 91.4% of 0-11 months old and 90.2% of 12-59 months children were vaccinated. In SIA-1, the team vaccinated an average of 88% and 97%, and in SIA-2, 94.8% and 97.6% of children 0-11 months old and 12-59 months old, respectively. The active community-based surveillance of AFP revealed the existence of the disease in a sporadic form, of which two cases were found in Bokh district. Conclusion the response to curb the outbreak of cVDPV2 has shown a flow of actions to combat the outbreak. Strengthening and formation of response teams at different levels, resource mobilization, advocacy, and social mobilization are all essential components in maximizing the response to the outbreak.

Response to back-to-back outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 in two nomadic pastoralist settlements in Oti Region, Ghana-2019

“…The missing link relates to how active the PHRRTs are at the district level. While PHERRTs at various levels of the health sector was touted as key in controlling similar outbreak in Ethiopia [ 25 ], in the current outbreak response, the PHERRT in one of the districts appeared inactive at the time of the outbreak. Also, the capacity of the PHERRT to respond to the outbreaks was limited as this was the first time the region was recording such outbreaks and the last time Ghana as a country recorded a case of poliomyelitis prior to the emergence of the cVDPVs was over a decade ago.…”

“…Disease outbreaks among nomads are not rare, because their continual mobility restricts access to health services, particularly where extended course of interventions such as childhood immunization are required [ 30 ]. This was observed in a cVDPV2 outbreak in pastoralist community in Ethiopia where there was a large number of children who had never been vaccinated [ 25 ]. This underscores innovative approaches to reaching these children with vaccination and other health services.…”