Polio Outbreak Continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) reported this week the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recently confirmed ten new cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1).

As of August 2, 2023, there are now 46 cases reported so far this year. There were 146 cases in 2022.

Additionally, the DRC reported four new cases involving circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).

There are now 61 cases so far this year and 367 cases reported in 2022.

In response to this polio outbreak, the U.S. CDC included the DRC in its Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions, Global Polio Travel Health Notice.

The CDC said on July 28, 2023, adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series may receive a single, lifetime booster dose of an IPV polio vaccine before traveling to any of these 30 destinations.

In the U.S., IPV vaccinations are offered by travel pharmacies.

In the U.S., poliovirus is often detected in wastewater surveillance systems.

Separately, the GPEI published the 6th Transition Independent Monitoring Board report in July 2023, which evaluates the progress and challenges of transferring the responsibility of polio immunization and response efforts to national governments.

The report includes a series of recommendations to strengthen the process at the global, regional, and country levels.