Cote d'Ivoire: Authorities report polio cases in new areas in December; confirm vaccination and use food, water precautions. /update 4

Event

International health officials identified 18 additional cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) in Cote d’Ivoire Nov. 12-Dec. 2, bringing the total to more than 68 cases since Feb. 1. This case count is compared to zero cases of cVDPV observed in 2019. New areas reporting cVDPV cases in recent weeks include Comoe, Denguele, Lagunes, and Zanzan districts; as such, disease activity has occurred nearly nationwide. Cases have also occurred in Bas-Sassandra, Goh-Djiboua, Montagnes, Vallee du Bandama, Sassandra-Marahoue, Savanes, and Woroba. This report represents the most complete data available as of Dec. 8.

Context

Cases of cVDPV are a rare result of widespread vaccination using oral polio vaccine (OPV), which contains a live but weakened strain of poliovirus. When a child is immunized with OPV, the weakened vaccine-virus replicates in the intestine for a limited time, leading to the development of antibodies. In areas of inadequate sanitation, vaccine-virus excreted by these children can spread in the community infecting susceptible individuals.

Polio is highly infectious and can spread rapidly through contact with infected fecal material, such as in contaminated food and water. Infections are generally mild, but one in 200 cases leads to irreversible paralysis. Among those victims, 5-10 percent die when respiratory muscles become affected. The risk of paralysis increases with age. There is no specific treatment for polio.

Advice

Visit a doctor to receive polio vaccination before traveling to Cote d’Ivoire, as even mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic people are infectious. In addition, adults who have been fully vaccinated should consider receiving a single lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine. Practice basic food and water precautions: drink only boiled, bottled, or purified water, and ensure that food is properly prepared and served hot. Wash hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.