Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Afghanistan, January 2016-June 2017

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Control

Background:

• Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria are the last countries with endemic wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) transmission.
• Polio eradication efforts are ongoing globally, with a focus on persistent transmission zones.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on polio eradication activities, progress, and challenges in Afghanistan.
• To provide an update on WPV1 cases and affected areas from January 2016 to June 2017.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of confirmed WPV1 cases and affected districts.
• Review of polio eradication activities and programmatic challenges.
• Monitoring of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases and environmental surveillance.

Main Results:

• WPV1 cases in Afghanistan decreased from 20 in 2015 to 13 in 2016.
• From January to June 2017, five WPV1 cases were reported, a slight decrease from the same period in 2016.
• The number of WPV1-affected districts significantly reduced from 23 in 2015 to six in 2016.

Conclusions:

• Afghanistan has shown progress in reducing WPV1 transmission.
• Continued cross-border collaboration with Pakistan is essential for tracking mobile populations.
• Strengthening vaccination efforts in security-compromised areas is vital for achieving WPV1 eradication.