Partners UNICEF and WHO to conduct immediate immunization activities in high-risk areas 

Evanston, Ill., USA (Nov. 12, 2010) – In response to a recent outbreak (http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_11_04a/en/index.html) of wild poliovirus in the Republic of Congo, Rotary is providing a total of US$500,000 in emergency grants to UNICEF and the World Health Organization for immediate countrywide polio immunization campaigns. The outbreak requires urgent action by government and partner agencies to again make the country polio-free.

Outbreaks Following Wild Poliovirus Importations --- Europe, Africa, and Asia, January 2009--September 2010

MMWR Weekly
November 5, 2010 / 59(43); 1393-1399
(Full text available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5943a1.htm?s_cid=mm5943a1_e)

• There have been 706 cases globally so far in 2010 (635 type 1 and 71 type 3), compared with 1 126 cases at this time last year (387 type 1, 735 type 3, four type 1/3 mixtures). 17 countries have reported cases in 2010, compared with 21 at this time last year.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is implementing new approaches to improve the quality and impact of eradication strategies. One critical step is to obtain complete and rapid data on Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs), so that mid-course corrections can be made if any gaps are found. To this end, the GPEI is exploring the feasibility of consolidating internationally-available independent monitoring data within 15 days of a Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA). Available at: http://www.polioeradication.org/Independent_monitoring.asp