Experts Advise Ending Polio Outbreak in Ukraine Declared in October 2021

Experts advise officially ending the outbreak declared in October 2021

MADRID, 8 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –

A team of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have concluded that the polio virus “is not circulating undetected” in Ukraine despite the war.

“Despite the significant challenges faced by the outbreak response and the disruptions to the healthcare system due to the crisis in Ukraine, there is sufficient evidence to conclude that the poliovirus is not circulating undetected in the country,” they stressed. these specialists on the Ukrainian ground through a statement.

For this reason, they have recommended that WHO Europe “consider the possibility of officially closing the outbreak” declared in October 2021. The decision to end a polio outbreak requires compliance with several criteria, including at least 6 consecutive months without detection of poliovirus in that country.

The experts point out, however, that the next step of the investigation will be to “verify that polioviruses have not been imported from Ukraine to neighboring countries”, taking into account the massive displacement of refugees from Ukraine due to the war. WHO Europe is currently reviewing data from seven countries to assess the risk of spread related to this refugee crisis.

The outbreak began in Ukraine following the importation and subsequent circulation of polioviruses related to a previous outbreak in Tajikistan in 2021. Two children in Ukraine developed paralytic infections, and 19 healthy close contacts tested positive without developing symptoms.

Since 2002, the WHO European Region has remained free of endemic poliovirus. However, even a single case of polio, whether caused by wild or vaccine-derived poliovirus, is considered an outbreak and triggers an urgent response.

In February 2022, an immunization campaign with the polio vaccine began in Ukraine, which has continued despite the invasion of Russia. The WHO points out that the massive movements of the population, particularly of women and children, “have posed difficulties in reaching the target age group for vaccination.”

“In addition, the war in Ukraine has shifted the priorities of the population towards safety and survival, making vaccination a lower priority. The destruction of health facilities has further hampered response efforts,” they have put forward by these experts.

Despite these obstacles, as of May 7, a total of 176,262 doses had been administered, according to data provided by the WHO.

“Ukraine’s remarkable achievement in stopping polio transmission in the midst of the ongoing war reflects the unwavering commitment and resilience of the Government and Ministry of Health. It also demonstrates the exceptional dedication and tenacity of the country’s health workers, who have “We have overcome numerous challenges to get children the vaccines that will protect them from this added threat to their lives. The successful implementation of high-quality disease surveillance and vaccine delivery in the midst of such adversity is truly commendable.” the WHO representative in Ukraine, Jarno Habicht.

The expert team conducted a comprehensive assessment of disease surveillance, vaccination, vaccine logistics, laboratory capabilities, and communication efforts since the outbreak was confirmed in October 2021.

During their field visits to Kiev, Chernihiv and Zhytomyr oblasts, they visited regional centers for disease control and prevention, regional hospitals for children’s infectious diseases and polyclinics.