Poliovirus in Madagascar

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In Madagascar, 8 new cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) have been confirmed, with dates of onset of paralysis ranging from 22 April to 29 May 2015. These new cases are genetically linked to cVDPV1 isolated from a case with onset on 29 September 2014, which indicates that the circulation of cVDPV 1 first detected in September 2014 continues and is geographically wide-spread. Five of the new cases are from Androy region in the south of the country while the other cases are from Menabe, Anosy and Boeni regions in the centre of Madagascar. The previous case with onset in September occurred in Sofia region, which is situated in the north of the country.

Since the detection of the September case, outbreak response activities have been conducted throughout the country, including subnational immunization days and national immunization days held in December and April, respectively. Nevertheless, the extent, timeliness and quality of the outbreak response to date have been insufficient to interrupt circulation of this strain, and were further complicated by flooding affecting the country. More than 25% of children across Madagascar remain un- or under-immunized. The emergency outbreak response has recently been further intensified.

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