Pakistan: Anti-polio campaign in K-P postponed as coronavirus cases continue to soar | The Express Tribune.
[March 19, 2020]
PESHAWAR: The health department postponed an anti-polio campaign in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country crossed 300.
The campaign was to be launched on March 23 in five districts of K-P, including Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi and Mohmand.
The campaign would target over 13 million children under the age of five.
According to the polio emergency operation centre, 7,455 teams were set up for the campaign.
The health department postponed the polio campaign until after the coronavirus is contained.
K-P reports second COVID-19 fatality, nationwide infections rise to 299
Polio teams tasked to innoculate children are also asked to raise awareness about precautionary and preventive measures against the coronavirus epidemic.
The vaccinators distribute pamphlets containing information about the disease, Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar said.
He was chairing a meeting held to review coronavirus precautionary measures adopted in the capital.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has confirmed Pakistan’s first two COVID-19 deaths in Mardan and Peshawar.
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Pakistan: Polio vaccination teams spreading awareness on coronavirus | The Express Tribune.
[March 19, 2020]
ISLAMABAD: Polio teams busy in inoculation of children are also spreading awareness about precautionary and preventive measures against the coronavirus epidemic.
Wherever they go, the vaccinators distribute pamphlets containing information about the disease, Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar said on Wednesday.
He was chairing a meeting held to review coronavirus precautionary measures adopted in the capital.
Special Assistant to PM (SAPM) on CDA Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat, senior officials of Pims and CDA were present in the meeting. Umar said closure of educational institutions, marriage halls, recreational spots, gyms and other public places would continue.
Meanwhile, a public awareness session to combat coronavirus was held at Women Development Centre of Social Welfare Department.
Social Welfare Assistant Director Akram Mirza said that social welfare organisations should coordinate with the community leaders and hold sessions about the guidelines for the protection from coronavirus.
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Acute flaccid myelitis - has it gone unrecognised in Australian children? | Communicable Diseases Intelligence | PubMed Entry includes link to "free full text online".
[Open Access] [Published online: 15/1/2020]
Abstract.
We have identified a previously unrecognised cluster of a newly recognised condition - acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) - among acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases identified by the Australian Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance Network (PAEDS) 2007-2017. In the 12 months before and after detection of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) from a single AFP case in April 2016, 24 of 97 notified cases of AFP were found to be clinically compatible with AFM; of these 24 cases, ten, clustered in early 2016, met magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria for AFM. Detection of emerging enteroviruses requires collection of respiratory, cerebrospinal fluid and stool specimens, and should be routine practice for all AFP cases.
[Free Full Text PDF]
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The Impact of Chemotherapy after Pediatric Malignancy on Humoral Immunity to Vaccine-Preventable Diseases | The Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases.
[Open Access] [Received: November 30, 2019; Accepted: February 9, 2020; Published: March 1, 2020]
Abstract.
Background/Aim: The antibody titer of vaccine-preventable disease in pediatric patients who underwent chemotherapy was assessed in order to evaluate the seroprotection after treatment and the feasibility and the efficacy of a policy of revaccination.
Methods: Serum antibody titers of 55 patients for hepatitis B (HBV), rubella, varicella-zoster (VZV), measles, mumps, polio viruses, Clostridium tetani (C. tetani) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) were analysed.
Results: After chemotherapy, a lack of protective antibody titers against HBV, rubella, VZV, measles, mumps, polio viruses, C. tetani, and S. pneumoniae was found in 53%, 45%, 46%, 46%, 43%, 21-26%, 88% and 55% of patients, respectively. In 49 of 55 patients who were tested both before and after chemotherapy for at least a pathogen, the loss of immunity for HBV, rubella, VZV, measles, mumps, polio viruses and C. tetani was respectively 39%, 43%, 38%, 42%, 32%, 33%, and 80%. A low number of B-lymphocytes was associated with the loss of immunity against measles (p=0.04) whereas a high number of CD8+ T-lymphocytes was associated with the loss of immunity against VZV (p=0.03). A single booster of vaccine dose resulted in a seroprotection for HBV, rubella, VZV, measles, mumps, polio viruses, C. tetani and S. pneumoniae in 67%, 83%, 80%, 67%, 33%, 100%, 88% and 67% of patients, respectively.
Conclusions: We confirm that seroprotection for vaccine-preventable disease is affected by treatment for pediatric malignancy. A single booster dose of vaccine might be a practical way to restore vaccine immunity in patients after chemotherapy.
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Afghanistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (9 March - 15 March 2020) | OCHA via ReliefWeb.
[Source: OCHA] [Published: 15 Mar 2020] [Origin: View Original]
Northeast: Over 9,000 people received humanitarian assistance
Fighting between a Non-State Armed Group (NSAG) and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) continued in Badakhshan, Baghlan, Kunduz and Takhar provinces. On 9 March, one civilian was reportedly killed and five others were injured due to a mortar shell in the Puze Ishan area in Pul-e-Khumri district, Baghlan province.
Last week, 9,779 people affected by conflict received humanitarian assistance in Kunduz province. Moreover, 539 internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by conflict were assessed and will receive assistance in the coming days in Baghlan province.
East: 10,157 people received humanitarian aid, over 2,000 people displaced in Laghman
Last week, clashes continued between the ANSF and Islamic State of Khorasan (IS-K), and an NSAG and IS-K in Chawkay, Watapur, Nurgal, Dara-e-Pech districts in Kunar province.
Reportedly, 328 families (approximately 2,296 people) were displaced due to ongoing conflict in Alishang, Alingar and Mehterlam districts in Laghman province during the last week.
On 12 March, a hospital with 100 beds and medical staff was designated in Jalalabad city, Nangarhar province to respond to people with COVID-19. Since 15 March, local authorities announced that all education facilities including madrasas and universities are officially closed in the east as part of measures to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
Last week, interagency assessment teams identified 3,955 IDPs to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days across the eastern part of the country; and 10,157 IDPs received humanitarian assistance in Nangarhar, Laghman, Nuristan and Kunar provinces. In addition, 7,113 returnees, IDPs and people from host communities were reached with emergency outpatient health services. This week, a total of 5,389 children were vaccinated for polio and measles.
North: Four people confirmed to have COVID-19 in Samangan and Balkh
Fighting between an NSAG and ANSF continued in Faryab province. According to the Ministry of Public Health, four people were confirmed to have COVID-19 in the north in Samangan (3 people) and Balkh (1 person) provinces as of 15 March.
Last week, 1,631 IDPs affected by conflict received humanitarian assistance in Balk, Faryab and Sar-e-Pul provinces. Also, interagency assessment teams identified 1,421 people displaced by conflict in Balkh, Faryab, Sar-e-Pul and Jawzjan provinces to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days.
South: Over 2,000 people received winter assistance in Zabul
Fighting continued between an NSAG and the ANSF in Hilmand, Kandahar and Zabul provinces.
Last week, 567 IDPs affected by conflict received humanitarian assistance in Kandahar and Zabul provinces; and 2,158 people received winter assistance in Zabul province. Humanitarian partners are conducting needs assessments for IDPs affected by conflict in Kandahar and Nimroz provinces.
Centre: Almost 3,000 people received humanitarian aid
On 9 March, a group of children discovered an unexploded ordnance in Azra district, Logar province that subsequently exploded. One child was reportedly killed and six others were wounded. Two and a half million people in Afghanistan are estimated to live within one kilometre of areas known to be polluted with explosive hazards which are in need of immediate mine clearance.
Last week 1,812 IDPs affected by natural disasters received humanitarian assistance in Daykundi and Paktya provinces. In addition, 1,120 IDPs affected by conflict received cash and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance in Khost and Logar provinces. Interagency assessment teams identified 777 people affected by conflict to receive humanitarian assistance in the coming days in Paktya province.
West: Strengthening capacity for COVID-19 response
According to the Ministry of Public Health, in total 14 people in the west in Hirat (13 people) and Badghis (1 person) provinces were confirmed to have COVID-19. All schools in Hirat have remained closed and public gatherings banned until further notice. As of 18 March, 22 people were confirmed to have COVID-19 across the country and health authorities were investigating 51 people presumptively for COVID-19. 171 people tested negative for the virus. The focus of activities in Afghanistan continues to be both preparedness and containment, but the overall health capacity in the country to respond to a widespread COVID-19 outbreak is insufficient.
19 permanent handwashing points (4 for children and 15 for adults) and 12 sanitation facility (10 toilets and 2 bathrooms) are being constructed at the border transit center in Islam Qala, Provincial authorities and the UN identified the need to rehabilitate 6 restrooms at the immigration centre and 8 others at the transit centre. The rehabilitation has already begun.
A total of 560 IDPs were assessed and assisted in Farah province. Needs assessments are ongoing in Badghis, Ghor and Hirat provinces.
For more information on COVID-19 please see Afghanistan update #14.
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.
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GPEI Statement On Covid-19 | Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
[18/03/2020]
A moral imperative to stand together.
The COVID -19 pandemic response requires worldwide solidarity and an urgent global effort. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), with thousands of polio workers, and an extensive laboratory and surveillance network, has a moral imperative to ensure that these resources are used to support countries in their preparedness and response.
In Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, where polio personnel and assets have a significant footprint, workers from all GPEI partners are pitching in with COVID-19 surveillance, health worker training, contact tracing, risk communications and more. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a core GPEI partner, has deployed Stop Transmission of Polio programme (STOP) volunteers already working on polio eradication in 13 countries, to COVID-19 preparations and response.
We recognise that the COVID-19 emergency means that some aspects of polio eradication programme will be affected. GPEI is currently finalising operational guidelines and contingency plans for the polio eradication programme to determine what assets can be deployed to COVID-19 preparedness and response and to identify which critical activities must continue if polio eradication is not to lose ground. We will continue to communicate on plans as they evolve.
In solidarity with the most vulnerable, the polio programme will share its assets to ensure this new epidemic is defeated as quickly as possible. Our commitment to eradication is firm; our commitment to stand together against COVID-19 is now.
Related news
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Pakistan: 145,073 children vaccinated on second day of polio immunisation campaign | DAWN.
[March 18, 2020]
RAWALPINDI: A total of 145,073 children were vaccinated on the second day of the polio immunisation drive in the district and a new list of refusals has been prepared, a meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner was informed on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Headquarters Dr Satish and senior district health authority and police officials.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq said the five-day polio immunisation campaign, which began on March 16, aims to vaccinate 400,000 children below the age of five against polio.
He said more than 100,000 children were vaccinated on the first day. The implementation of government-issued standard operating procedures should be ensured with a zero tolerance policy for refusal cases, he added.
Polio vaccination teams should also ensure a door-to-door marking and finger marking process to avoid fake finger marking, and prepare accurate data, he said.
Accuracy will be achieved when teams work with dedication and in the greater interest of the nation, Mr Haq said. He said the monitoring of teams has begun and their work will be monitored every day. The poliovirus has been eradicated in other parts of the world and the government is committed to doing the same in Pakistan as soon as possible.
He added that although World Health Organisation (WHO) teams monitor the campaign, the provincial government has decided to carry out third party evaluation of the drive to ensure every child below five is vaccinated.
Health dept told to issue advisory
The Punjab government has directed the health department to issue an advisory to polio vaccination teams not to move without security cover and to inform district police officials before starting campaigns in border areas.
While reviewing security for the polio immunisation campaign, the provincial security coordination committee reviewed the standing security instructions issued by the home department for five-day polio campaigns.
Concerned by the more than 70pc of refusals in Rawalpindi districts, the concerned authorities were told to use different methods to encourage people to vaccinate their children.
Religious leaders will be involved and announcements will be made while the campaign is ongoing.
The polio immunisation campaign began on March 16 and will continue until March 20 in various provincial districts including Rawalpindi, where 20,509 teams will vaccinate children below the age of five.
District administrations and police were told to give special attention to the campaign being launched in D.G. Khan, Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan, Mianwali, Rawalpindi and other high-risk districts; transit points in Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan, Rawalpindi and D.G. Khan and the border areas between Rawalpindi and Islamabad should be protected as well.
Divisional police chiefs were directed to ensure district police providesecurity to polio vaccination teams.
The police were directed to make cluster-wise deployments during the campaign.
The health department will alsoissue an advisory to polio vaccination teams not to move without security cover.
Before the campaign begins the concerned deputy commissioner and district police officer should be informed of the campaign in the border areas.
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