Polio Outbreaks Continue in 7 Countries

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative recently reported seven countries reported polio-related detections in mid-July 2023.

As of July 19, 2023, the following polio outbreaks were announced:

• Chad: five cVDPV2 cases
• Congo: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample
• DR Congo: eight cVDPV1 cases, 16 cVDPV2 cases and two cVDPV2 positive environmental samples
• Madagascar: eight cVDPV1-positive environmental samples
• Somalia: three cVDPV2-positive environmental samples
• Tanzania: one cVDPV2 case
• Zambia: one cVDPV2 positive environmental sample

The World Health Organization and UNICEF announced on July 18, 2023, they are working with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and other partners to deliver the global Immunization Agenda 2030, a strategy for all countries and relevant global partners to achieve set goals on preventing diseases (such as polio) through immunization and delivering vaccines to everyone, everywhere, at every age.