General Polio Headlines – Week Ending 17 Oct. 2012

Wild Poliovirus Weekly Update – World Health Organization

Week Ending 17 October 2012

Total number of cases in 2011 YTD: 467
Total number of cases in 2012 YTD” 171 (includes 5 in non-endemic countries)

General Polio Headlines – Week Ending 17 October 2012

World Polio Day is October 24. This is the first year that India has been excluded from the list of countries where polio is endemic. In the past year, since World Polio Day 2011, there have been 171 new cases of polio as opposed to 467 a year ago.

Endemic Country Headlines – Week Ending 17 October 2012

Afghanistan:

Four new cases – total for 2012 is 25. “National Immunization Days were held during 14-16 October. The launch of this campaign coincided with Global Handwashing day. Polio information was distributed to children at this time.”

Nigeria:

Four new cases – total for 2012 is 97. “A second-round immunization campaign, in response to the recent Taraba WPV4 case, is planned for 20-23 October.”

Pakistan

One new case – total for 2012 is 44. “In response to recent cases, mop-opus were conducted last week in key areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab, targeting more than a milliaon children under the age of five years.”