Polio in the Horn of Africa, 21 May 2013

The Horn of Africa is currently experiencing an outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1). A four-month-old girl near Dadaab, Kenya, developed symptoms of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) on 30 April 2013. Two healthy contacts of the child tested positive for WPV1.

They are the first laboratory confirmed cases in Kenya since July 2011. Investigation into this outbreak is ongoing. In addition, a case of WPV1 in Banadir, Somalia was confirmed on 9 May 2013.

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Outbreak Bulletin - Vol. 3 Issue 3, 26 April 2013

 Download the bulletin - Outbreak Bulletin - Vol. 3 Issue 3, 26 April 2013 (550.69 kB)

In this issue, a general overview of outbreaks that occurred within the WHO African Region between January and March 2013 is provided as well as a summary of ongoing outbreaks as reported by Member States.

Overview of reported outbreaks in WHO African Region

Based on data received from the Early Warning System through the Event Management System (EMS)*, 33 public health events were reported to the Regional Office between January and March 2013 of which 88% (29 / 33) were due to infectious diseases with cholera being the most frequently reported event. The distribution of these events is shown in figure 1 be-low.

Outbreak of a “strange” phenomenon reported in Ghana

On 8 February 2013, health authorities in Ghana received reports of the sudden outbreak of a “strange” phenomenon  affecting people along the coastline of Aflao, near the country’s boarder with Togo.

Affected patients reported acute onset of cough, sneezing and chest pain.  About 28 persons reported that they had experienced these symptoms which resolved on self-medication and/or when they left the coastline. No severe cases or deaths have been reported.

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