The Ministry of Health and Child Care wishes to inform the public that it has confirmed through laboratory tests the presence of a type 2 circulating poliovirus variant in environmental samples that were collected towards the end of 2023 from sewage sites covering Budiriro, Mbare and Mufakose catchments in Harare Metropolitan Province. In addition and through intensified Poliomyelitis disease surveillance in the country a similar circulating poliovirus variant has been detected in a 10-year-old child from Sanyati district of Mashonaland West province who presented to us with acute paralysis and had laboratory tests done for confirmation.
The virus that was detected in these occasions is a rare type of poliovirus that can occur when the weakened live virus in the oral polio vaccine (OPV) mutates over time and becomes able to circulate in the community. Hence it is referred to as circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus-type 2 (cVDPV).
The detection of this virus is considered a Polio outbreak. “While we understand that this is a cause for concern, we would like to reassure the public that the Ministry has taken immediate action to contain the outbreak and prevent any further spread. We have contacted the World Health Organisation (WHO) and initiated emergency response measures. This includes investigating the outbreak, increasing Polio surveillance in the country, and preparing for a nationwide Polio vaccination campaign. Our goal is to stop transmission of the virus as soon as possible."
To prevent further spread of the virus, the Ministry has scheduled two national vaccination campaigns targeting all children under 10 years of age in February and March 2024. This age group is at higher risk for type 2 Polio, as they did not receive the vaccines targeting this type, which were discontinued globally in 2015. The campaign will use a new oral Polio vaccine (nOPV2) to quickly boost protection in this age group.
The first vaccination campaign will take place from February 20th to March 1st, 2024, and the second campaign will take place from March 19th to 29th, 2024. Both campaigns will be carried out in all provinces of the country. A total of 4 206 013 children are targeted for vaccination in each campaign, which will be conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. Vaccines have already been received and are being prepositioned in all provinces and cities.
Because of the highly contagious nature of circulating Polioviruses, the Ministry strongly urges parents and caregivers of children under the age of 10 to ensure that their children are vaccinated. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent these polioviruses from causing serious disease and paralysis. It's important to take action now to prevent an outbreak of Polio in Zimbabwe, as these polioviruses have the potential to evolve and become more dangerous over time.
Besides the vaccination response, a number of key strategies have been put in place for the response to polio including:
• Intensifying surveillance and active search to identify and detect all vaccine-preventable diseases. This includes expanding environmental sampling sites in the country and capacitation of our laboratory to test for the virus
• Engaging in level advocacy to commit all key stakeholders to the eradication of Polio
• Training and equipping health workers at all levels for outbreak preparedness and response
• Intensifying community engagement and awareness campaigns to increase uptake of immunization and other public health measures.
Zimbabwe is not the only country experiencing the threat of circulating polioviruses. Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Zambia have also reported the presence of these viruses. The countries are working together to respond to the threat and stop the spread of the virus.
