Abstract
BackgroundGlobally, tremendous improvement has been made in Polio eradication since its inception in 1988. For the third time in a decade, Kenya has experienced a Polio outbreak along the border with Somalia. The affected areas were in Garissa County, replete with previous occurrences in 2006 and 2012. This article, give an account of series of events and activities that were used to stop the transmission within 13 weeks, an interval between the first and the last case of the 2013 outbreak.MethodsIn an attempt to stop further transmission and time bound closure of the outbreak, many activities were brought to fore: the known traditional methods, innovative approaches, improved finances and surge capacity. These assisted in case detection, implementation, and coordination of activities. The external outbreak assessments and the six-monthly technical advisory group recommendations were also employed.ResultThere were increased case detections of >=2/100,000, stool adequacy >=80%, due to enhanced surveillance, timely feedbacks from laboratory investigation and diagnosis. Sustained coverage in supplemental immunisation of > 90%, ensured that immune profile of >=3 polio vaccine doses was quickly attained to protect the targeted population, prevent further polio infection and eventual reduction of cases coming up with paralysis.ConclusionOverall, the outbreak was stopped within the 120 days of the first case using 14 rounds of supplemental immunisation activities.
Highlights
Tremendous improvement has been made in polio eradication since its inception in 19881
Overall, the outbreak was stopped within the 120 days of the first case using 14 rounds of supplemental immunisation activities
The erratic occurrence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) outbreaks in certain countries of Africa and South-East Asia have always set the hands of the clock back, each time[2]
Summary
Tremendous improvement has been made in polio eradication since its inception in 19881. The erratic occurrence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) outbreaks in certain countries of Africa and South-East Asia have always set the hands of the clock back, each time[2]. These countries have few things in common: issues of conflict, insecurity, and inaccessibility. Kenya is bordered to the North by Ethiopia, northeast by Somalia, South East by the Indian Ocean, southwest by Tanzania and North West by Uganda and South Sudan. Kenya’s proximity to polio outbreak-prone countries increases its vulnerability to the importation of wild poliovirus. For the third time in a decade, Kenya has experienced a Polio outbreak along the border with Somalia. This article, give an account of series of events and activities that were used to stop the transmission within 13 weeks, an interval between the first and the last case of the 2013 outbreak
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