Poliomyelitis

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• WHO Epidemiological Brief 23: Update on measles and rubella, regional and global polio outbreak status
  02-05-2012
• Summary of Twitter chat on immunization
  01-05-2012
  During European Immunization Week, WHO/Europe organized a Twitter chat on 26 April 2012 to answer questions about immunization. The discussions focused on the role of health care providers, reasons behind low immunization coverage and risks of measles outbreaks in the region.
• European Immunization Week features week of guest bloggers
  23-04-2012
  As part of WHO/Europe’s activities at the level of the European Region, the campaign site for European Immunization Week features guest bloggers on each day. They are addressing issues related to immunization from a variety of perspectives.
• Ask the experts: live Twitter chat for European Immunization Week
  19-04-2012
  Experts from WHO/Europe will answer your questions about immunization during a live Twitter chat on Thursday 26 April 2012, from 14:00 to 15:00 UTC/GMT (16:00-17:00 CEST/Paris time).
• Princess Mathilde of Belgium arrives in Albania to advocate for frontline health care workers
  29-03-2012
  Princess Mathilde of Belgium began her official visit yesterday as WHO’s Special Representative for Immunization. She will meet frontline health care workers from Albania and Montenegro and discuss their vital role in ensuring the success of national immunization programmes.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 21: Update on measles and rubella, European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination (RVC), AFP surveillance
  27-03-2012
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 22: Measles and rubella, first meeting of RVC, AFP surveillance reporting, polio outbreak preparedness
  20-03-2012
• First polio outbreak simulation exercise successfully implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  21-12-2011
  At its 21st meeting, the European Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication (RCC) emphasized the risk of wild poliovirus importation and recommended that "national plans for action in response to a polio importation should be developed/reviewed as part of the emergency response plan under international health regulations" and that "countries should conduct an exercise to test the national response plan".The importance of such exercises was underscored in 2010 when the WHO European Region experienced the first importation of wild poliovirus since it was certified as polio-free in 2002.  In keeping with the RCC's recommendation, the first "desktop" polio outbreak simulation exercise (named Exercise POSE) was successfully implemented 14-15 December 2011 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It included the participation of three Member States: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro.
• Outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 in China: 20 cases reported
  20-12-2011
  As of 14 December 2011, China has reported 20 total cases of wild poliovirus since the outbreak began in August 2011. Of the 20 cases, 11 cases are in adults 19-53 years of age and 9 cases are in children under 3-years-old. The latest case had an onset date of 9 October 2011, and all cases are from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of western China.
• Ongoing outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 in China: 18 total cases reported
  02-11-2011
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 18: Measles outbreaks, measles and rubella SIAs, outbreak of wild poliovirus in China and AFP surveillance
  27-10-2011
  Issue 18 of WHO/Europe's epidemiological periodical covers measles outbreaks, measles and rubella SIAs, outbreak of wild poliovirus in China and AFP surveillance.
• Sub-regional Meeting of the WHO Polio Laboratory Network
  17-10-2011
  A subregional meeting of the WHO Polio Laboratory Network, organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, took place in Istanbul, Turkey on 11-13 October 2011.
• Ongoing outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 in China: WHO/Europe’s recommendations and response
  22-09-2011
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 17: Measles outbreaks, rubella surveillance, AFP surveillance, regional polio-free status and invasive bacterial disease surveillance
  08-09-2011
• Wild poliovirus confirmed in China - WHO European Region on alert
  05-09-2011
  The People’s Republic of China reported cases of laboratory confirmed polio through the International Health Regulations (IHR) network on Friday, 26 August 2011. The WHO Regional Office for Europe is keeping in close communication with the Regional Office for the Western Pacific and has notified neighbouring countries about the outbreak. The WHO Regional Office for Europe is conducting a detailed risk assessment with countries to assess the potential of this outbreak to spread to countries within the WHO European Region.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 16: Measles outbreaks, rotavirus surveillance and response to importation of wild poliovirus
  30-08-2011
  Issue 16 of the monthly publication on vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization data and analysis.
• Polio kicked out of Europe: European Region to retain polio-free status, but constant vigilance is needed
  25-08-2011
  The European Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication (RCC) announced yesterday that Europe will retain its polio-free status after the importation of wild poliovirus type 1 in 2010.
• Securing the gains: cross-regional collaboration in protecting polio-free areas
  29-07-2011
  From 21 to 22 July 2011, more than 40 international public health specialists, senior officials and experts engaged in the field of polio eradication gathered in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China to discuss and reaffirm their commitment to cross-regional collaboration in protecting polio-free areas.
• Public health developments in south-eastern Europe
  21-07-2011
  Cooperation on public health in south-eastern Europe is gaining momentum as countries establish regional health development centres to share resources and expertise.
• WHO and China CDC to host international workshop on cross-regional collaboration to protect polio-free areas
  20-07-2011
  On 21-22 July 2011 in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China, WHO will co-host an international workshop on polio eradication with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) titled 'Securing the Gains: Cross-Regional Collaboration in Protecting Polio-free Areas'.
• Rehabilitation in Tajikistan
  24-06-2011
  An outbreak of poliomyelitis (polio) started early in 2010 in Tajikistan, eight years after the WHO European Region was certified as polio free. According to government statistics, 712 acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases were notified. Most patients are in the recovery phase, but some have already started showing signs of residual paralysis. All people affected could benefit from rehabilitation.
• Response to the poliomyelitis (polio) outbreak in Tajikistan
  24-06-2011
  Tajikistan, which had been polio free since 1996, experienced a massive polio outbreak in 2010 following an importation of poliovirus from northern India. The Government of Tajikistan responded quickly to the outbreak and alerted WHO and neighbouring countries. Consultants and special investigation teams were deployed within a few days. 
• WHO/Europe request for expert nominations
  22-06-2011
  The WHO Regional Office for Europe requests expert nominations for the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (ETAGE), European Regional Certification Commission for the Eradication of Poliomyelitis (RCC) and Measles and Rubella Regional Verification Committee (MRRVC).
• Training on poliomyelitis in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  20-06-2011
  From 30 May to 3 June 2011, WHO/Europe delivered three one-day training seminars in Bosnia and Herzegovina to strengthen surveillance of poliomyelitis (polio) and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). These activities were part WHO’s work to support Member States’ response to the 2010 polio outbreak in the WHO European Region and to sustain the Region’s polio-free status.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 15: Measles outbreaks and response to importation of wild poliovirus
  16-06-2011
  Issue 15 of the monthly publication on vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization data and analysis.
• In review: European Immunization Week 2011
  16-06-2011
  Millions of children were immunized, and campaigns, training, media outreach and advocacy activities, using traditional and new media, took place in 52 countries during European Immunization Week, 23–30 April 2011.
• Opening of World Health Assembly: Director-General urges ministers to “remember the people”
  17-05-2011
  The Sixty-fourth World Health Assembly, WHO’s global annual meeting for ministers and senior health officials, opened yesterday.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 14: Measles outbreaks and importation of wild poliovirus in the European Region
  16-05-2011
  During 2011, measles outbreaks continue to occur in many Member States in the WHO European Region. As of 6 May, 38 countries had reported a total of 7028 confirmed cases. In August 2011, the European Regional Certification Committee for Poliomyelitis Eradication will review the outbreak response and status of poliomyelitis (polio) eradication in the Region.The central Asian republics, Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation are synchronizing rounds of supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) with trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) during April and May 2011.
• European Immunization Week: a major health priority for each child’s life in Tajikistan
  29-04-2011
  Immunization is one of the most successful and effective health interventions, reducing morbidity and mortality across the world in a safe and cost-effective manner.
• European Immunization Week launched
  28-04-2011
  WHO/Europe, partner organizations and several Member States reaffirmed their commitment to immunization – and particularly to controlling measles outbreaks and eliminating the disease– at the regional launch of European Immunization Week (EIW) on 26 April 2011. Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium participated in her capacity as WHO/Europe’s Special Representative for Immunization.
• New rounds of polio immunization start in Tajikistan today
  18-04-2011
  About 1.1 children under the age of 5 will be vaccinated against polio during the new round of National Immunization Days (NIDs) that start throughout Tajikistan today.
• National Immunization Days press conference held in Uzbekistan
  18-04-2011
  A press conference for the start up of National Immunization Days against polio was held in the Ministry of Health, Uzbekistan on 18 April 2011.
• Stopping polio through a seven-country synchronized response
  15-04-2011
  Seven Member States of the WHO European Region have planned synchronized rounds of polio supplementary immunization activities in April and May 2010.
• A series of micro planning trainings in preparation for Polio National Immunization Days (NIDs) in Tajikistan
  31-03-2011
  As part of a contingency plan and as recommended by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the Ministry of Health is planning to conduct National Immunization Days (NID) against Poliomyelitis in order to provide every child aged 0–5 years with extra doses of three valent Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) in order to stop further transmission of Polio-virus among the population.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 13 – Measles outbreaks and importation of wild poliovirus in the European Region
  15-03-2011
  In 2011 measles continues to spread within the Region and to other regions of the world. France reported nearly 1000 cases for January. As of 4 March, Tajikistan had reported 3 cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) with date of onset in 2011. The last confirmed poliomyelitis (polio) case in Tajikistan had a date of onset of 4 July 2010. The central Asian republics and the Russian Federation will conduct synchronized supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) with polio vaccine through April–May 2011.
• WHO/Europe launches new online laboratory reporting system
  09-03-2011
  WHO/Europe has just launched its new online laboratory data management system (LDMS), an important reporting tool for the regional poliomyelitis (polio) laboratory network.
• Immunization in Europe “at crossroads”
  03-03-2011
  Speaking at the opening of the conference “For a Healthy Future of Our Children – Childhood Immunization” in Budapest, Hungary today, Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, stated that, on immunization issues, Europe “stands at a crossroads”.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 12: Importation of Wild Poliovirus and Response Measures in the European Region
  15-02-2011
  As of 7 February 2011, Tajikistan had not reported an AFP case with onset in 2011.  In 2010, Tajikistan reported 712 AFP cases of which 458 were laboratory confirmed for wild poliovirus type 1, including 29 deaths. The last confirmed polio case in Tajikistan had a date of onset of 4 July. Since 1 January 2010, the Russian Federation had reported 14 poliomyelitis (polio) cases; Turkmenistan 3 cases, and Kazakhstan 1 case. 
• Response to polio outbreak commended
  01-02-2011
  The European Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication (RCC) commended countries’ actions to stop poliovirus transmission after a large outbreak in Tajikistan in 2010. Meeting in St Petersburg, Russian Federation, on 26–27 January 2011, the RCC added that long-term structural and system issues need to be addressed.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 11: Importation of Wild Poliovirus and Response Measures in the European Region
  20-12-2010
  As of 16 December, Tajikistan had reported 458 laboratory-confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1, including 29 deaths. The last confirmed case in Tajikistan had a date of onset of 4 July. Since the beginning of the year, the Russian Federation had reported 14 poliomyelitis (polio) cases; Turkmenistan 3 cases, and Kazakhstan 1 case.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 10: Importation of Wild Poliovirus and Response Measures in the European Region
  25-11-2010
  As of 18 November 2010, Tajikistan has reported 458 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), including 27 deaths. The last confirmed case in Tajikistan had a date of onset of 4 July. Since the beginning of the year, the Russian Federation has reported 14 poliomyelitis (polio) cases; Turkmenistan 3 cases and Kazakhstan 1 case.
• Sixth round of immunization wraps up Tajikistan’s polio vaccination campaign in 2010
  06-11-2010
  About 2.7 million children under 15 years of age were vaccinated against polio in the sixth round of the national polio immunization campaign in Tajikistan 8-12 November 2010.  
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 9: polio outbreak in the European Region and country responses
  29-10-2010
  As of 25 October, Tajikistan had reported 458 laboratory-confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1, including 26 deaths. The last confirmed case had a date of onset of 4 July. Since the beginning of the year, the Russian Federation had reported 14 polio cases; Turkmenistan, 3 cases and Kazakhstan, 1 case.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 8: polio outbreak in the European Region and country responses
  08-10-2010
  As of 30 September, Tajikistan had reported 458 laboratory-confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1, including 26 deaths. The last confirmed case had a date of onset of 4 July. Since the beginning of the year, the Russian Federation had reported 12 poliomyelitis (polio) cases and Turkmenistan, 3 cases.
• New round of poliomyelitis immunization in Tajikistan
  06-10-2010
  Almost 2.7 million children under 15 years of age will be vaccinated during the fifth round of poliomyelitis (polio) immunization in Tajikistan; during 4–8 October, children can be vaccinated free of charge in hospitals, local health centres, schools and other immunization points throughout the country.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 7: polio outbreak in the European Region and country responses
  14-09-2010
  As of 10 September, Tajikistan had reported 456 laboratory-confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1, including 20 deaths. The last confirmed case in Tajikistan had a date of onset of 4 July. Since the beginning of 2010, the Russian Federation has reported 12 polio cases and Turkmenistan reported 3 cases.
• Polio immunization campaign under way in Kazakhstan
  09-09-2010
  1.8 million Kazakh children are to be vaccinated in a series of national immunization days this week. Dr Zhaksylyk Doskaliev, Minister of Health of Kazakhstan, launched the campaign on Monday, 6 September, targeting children aged up to 6 years.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 6: polio outbreak in the European Region and country responses
  06-09-2010
  As of 3 September, Tajikistan has reported 456 laboratory-confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1, including 20 deaths. The last confirmed case in Tajikistan had a date of onset of 4 July.  Since the beginning of 2010, the Russian Federation has reported 12 polio cases.  Tajikistan has conducted four rounds of national immunization days (NIDs)  and Uzbekistan, three rounds. Kyrgyzstan began its second round of NIDs on 23 August, and Turkmenistan's second round is under way. Coverage has been extremely high in all rounds in all countries.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 5: Tajikistan polio outbreak and regional response
  22-08-2010
  As of 20 August 2010, Tajikistan has reported 455 laboratory-confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1. There have been 20 deaths. The last confirmed polio case in Tajikistan had a date of onset of 4 July.  In the Russian Federation there have been 8 laboratory-confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1.
• WHO epidemiological brief: Tajikistan polio outbreak and regional response
  04-08-2010
  As of 1 August 2010, Tajikistan had reported 452 laboratory-confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1, with 20 deaths (4.4%). The latest confirmed cases had disease onset on 4 July 2010. Seven cases had been laboratory confirmed for wild poliovirus type 1 in the Russian Federation.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief 3: Tajikistan polio outbreak and regional response
  20-07-2010
  As of 12 July 2010, Tajikistan had reported 413 laboratory-confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1, with 19 deaths (4.6%). The latest confirmed poliomyelitis (polio) cases had disease onset on 6 June 2010. Six cases had been laboratory confirmed for wild poliovirus type 1 in the Russian Federation, the only country outside Tajikistan to confirm cases.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief: Tajikistan polio outbreak and regional response
  01-07-2010
  As of 28 June 2010, Tajikistan has reported 334 laboratory-confirmed cases of wild poliovirus type 1. There have been 15 deaths. No new cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) had been reported since 12 June.
• Health experts review regional efforts to keep Europe polio free
  30-06-2010
  Every year, an independent panel of international public health experts reviews countries work to sustain the European Region's polio-free status, through activities including maintaining immunization coverage, planning national responses to poliovirus importation and conducting surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis. This year, the panel focused particularly on the recent outbreak of imported poliovirus in Tajikistan.
• WHO Epidemiological Brief: Tajikistan polio outbreak and regional response
  24-06-2010
  As of 11 June 2010, Tajikistan had reported 607 acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases; 239 were laboratory confirmed for wild poliovirus type 1, and 22 had been confirmed negative. There had been 11 deaths among the 239 confirmed poliomyelitis (polio) cases (4.6%).Three rounds of national immunization days (NIDs) had taken place in Tajikistan and two rounds in Uzbekistan. In both, coverage was extremely high: over 99% of the targeted populations. Further rounds are expected in both countries, and Kyrgyzstan will begin an immunization campaign in July.
• Number of reported suspected polio cases on the decrease in Tajikistan
  17-06-2010
  The polio immunization campaign is having a substantial impact on the number of reported suspected cases in Tajikistan, with more than 85% total decrease from the peak period. The biggest reduction is in children under six (95% decrease).
• Regional Director commends Uzbekistan on polio immunization campaign
  07-06-2010
  Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, is in Uzbekistan on 6–7 June 2010, to help raise awareness of the importance of immunization. Her first official visit coincides with the second round of a national polio immunization campaign.
• Latest epidemiological update on polio outbreak in central Asia
  03-06-2010
  As of 1 June 2010, Tajikistan had reported 564 cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), 183 of which had been laboratory confirmed for wild poliovirus type 1. All laboratory-confirmed cases reported so far are from the south-western part of the country and the capital, Dushanbe. The number of cases reported has declined in week 22.
• Latest epidemiological update on polio
  21-05-2010
  As the second round of the polio vaccination programme concludes in Tajikistan, the outbreak continues to be limited to the capital Dushanbe and the south-western part of the country. The governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have strengthened surveillance and have begun or will soon begin vaccination campaigns to boost children’s immunization.
• Uzbekistan begins immunization campaign to prevent polio importation
  19-05-2010
  In response to a poliomyelitis (polio) outbreak in neighbouring Tajikistan, the Government of Uzbekistan, supported by international partners, launched a nationwide immunization campaign on 17 May. More than 2.8 million children will be vaccinated over the next 6 days.
• Polio update: Tajikistan and central Asia
  10-05-2010
  According to preliminary data received by WHO, almost 1.1 million children under the age of 6 received the first of 3 doses of monovalent oral polio vaccine (mOPV1) in Tajikistan’s countrywide poliomyelitis (polio) vaccination programme.
• National polio immunization campaign launched in Tajikistan
  04-05-2010
  The Ministry of Health of Tajikistan launched a three-round polio immunization drive to stop the polio outbreak in the country. The target is to immunize almost 1.1 million children under 6 years of age with three doses of polio vaccine. Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe is visiting the country to support the efforts of national authorities in responding to the outbreak and promoting immunization activities.
• Most recent issue of EURO Immunization Monitor
  30-04-2010
  The February-March 2010 issue of WHO/Europe's newsletter on immunization, "Targeted Diseases and Immunization Affirmation: Opportunities and challenges in the year to come".
• Polio situation update from Tajikistan
  29-04-2010
  As of 28 April 2010, Tajikistan has reported 171 cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) to WHO. Laboratory tests have confirmed wild poliovirus type 1 in 32 cases. WHO is investigating the outbreak and supporting the Government of Tajikistan in strengthening surveillance, immunization programmes and outbreak response capacity.
• Polio outbreak in Tajikistan: new update
  29-04-2010
  As of 28 April 2010, the health authorities in Tajikistan have reported 171 cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) to WHO.
• WHO responds to imported polio outbreak in Tajikistan
  23-04-2010
  WHO has deployed a team of experts to investigate a polio outbreak in south-west Tajikistan, in the area bordering Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of poliovirus type 1 in the country and tests are ongoing to further characterize the virus. WHO is performing a field-based risk assessment of the situation and providing technical support to the Government of Tajikistan. This is the first imported polio outbreak in the WHO European Region since the Region was certified polio-free in 2002.