Health Experts have recommended the closure of the wild poliovirus outbreak in Malawi and Mozambique, which will mark a significant milestone in the fight against the virus in the African region.
According to World Health Organisation, stating that this expert which known as an independent Polio Outbreak Response Assessment Team (OBRA) conducted a thorough assessment in these countries.
WHO said that the last WPV1 case in the African Region, linked to a strain circulating in Pakistan, was reported in Mozambique´s Tete Province in August 2022.
Revealed that a total of nine cases were detected in Mozambique and neighbouring Malawi, where the outbreak was declared in February 2022. “In a coordinated response, more than 50 million children have been vaccinated to date against the virus in 5 countries in southern Africa.
It stated that the meticulous evaluation carried out by the OBRA team included two in-depth field reviews and supplementary data review, concluding that there is no evidence of ongoing wild polio transmission.
Adding that the assessment considered the quality of the outbreak response, which includes the overall population immunity, supplementary immunization campaigns, routine immunization coverage, surveillance systems, vaccine management practices, and the level of community engagement.
“The successful stopping of this outbreak reflects the unwavering commitment and collaborative efforts of African governments, health workers, communities and Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners, including Rotarians on the ground.
“Through robust surveillance, quality vaccination campaigns and enhanced community engagement, both countries have effectively controlled the spread of the virus, safeguarding the health and well-being of their children” WHO said.
In her reaction, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti commended the governments of Malawi and Mozambique, as well as all those involved in the response, for their tireless efforts to contain the outbreak.
She said, “This achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished when we work together with dedication and determination. It is imperative that we continue strengthen our immunization systems, enhance surveillance, and reach every child with life-saving vaccines.”
WHO noted that health authorities, with high-quality technical support from GPEI, have put in place prevention strategies in Malawi and Mozambique, as well as in all districts bordering other countries involved in the response. “These include Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia”.
“To date, more than 100 million vaccine doses have been administered in the most at-risk areas. The strategy to get ahead of this outbreak and stop it before it got out of hand relied on detailed micro-planning.
“It added that this including mapping of cross-border communities, migratory routes, cross-border entry/exit points, and transit routes for each of the cross-border facilities.
“Synchronization and coordination of vaccination plans across five countries, as well as monitoring of vaccination activities, proved key to identifying and reaching all eligible children in the cross-border areas, to avoid the risk of paralysis due to the virus”.