-
The Pan African Medical Journal 2023novel oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), designed to be more genetically stable than Sabin-strain oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 (mOPV2), is a new and key component...
INTRODUCTION
novel oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), designed to be more genetically stable than Sabin-strain oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 (mOPV2), is a new and key component of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative's strategy to combat outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). The World Health Organization´s (WHO´s) emergency use listing (EUL) requires extensive safety monitoring for Adverse Event of Special Interest (AESI) in its use. We implemented AESI active surveillance to monitor the safety of the nOPV2 in Nigeria.
METHODS
a cross-sectional assessment was conducted in Nigeria during March-June 2021 in 117 local government areas (LGAs) across 6 states and the Federal Capital Area with confirmed cVDPV2 transmission. We conducted active searches for nOPV2 AESI in all health facilities. Suspected events were ascertained, and vaccination and clinical data abstracted. Events were classified using WHO causality assessment algorithm. Data were analyzed using Epi info7.
RESULTS
total of 234 adverse events were reported after 21,997,300 doses of nOPV2 were administered, giving a crude reported incidence of 1 in 94,000 doses of nOPV2. Altogether, 221 of the 234 (94%) adverse events were classified. For 166 AESI ascertained to occur following a dose of nOPV2, the corrected crude incidence rate was 1 in 133,000 doses; 4 of the adverse events, were classified as consistent with casual association with nOPV2 vaccination.
CONCLUSION
we found that nOPV2 had a low incidence of AESI following nOPV2 campaigns and no new or unexpected adverse event was reported. Safety monitoring should be sustained for early detection of signals and uncommon adverse events.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease Outbreaks; Nigeria; Poliomyelitis; Poliovirus; Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral
PubMed: 38370101
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2023.45.2.40228 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2023
Topics: Humans; Nigeria; Poliomyelitis; Global Health; Disease Eradication; Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral; Immunization Programs; Poliovirus
PubMed: 38370100
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2023.45.2.41049 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2023in August 2020, the World Health Organization African Region was certified free of wild poliovirus (WPV) when Nigeria became the last African country to interrupt wild...
INTRODUCTION
in August 2020, the World Health Organization African Region was certified free of wild poliovirus (WPV) when Nigeria became the last African country to interrupt wild poliovirus transmission. The National Polio Emergency Operations Center instituted in 2012 to coordinate and manage Nigerian polio eradication efforts reviewed the epidemiology of WPV cases during 2000-2020 to document lessons learned.
METHODS
we analyzed reported WPV cases by serotype based on age, oral poliovirus vaccine immunization history, month and year of reported cases, and annual geographic distribution based on incidence rates at the Local Government Area level. The observed trends of cases were related to major events and the poliovirus vaccines used during mass vaccination campaigns within the analysis period.
RESULTS
a total of 3,579 WPV type 1 and 1,548 WPV type 3 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported with onset during 2000-2020. The highest WPV incidence rates per 100,000 population in Local Government Areas were 19.4, 12.0, and 11.3, all in 2006. Wild poliovirus cases were reported each year during 2000-2014; the endemic transmission went undetected throughout 2015 until the last cases in 2016. Ten events/milestones were highlighted, including insurgency in the northeast which led to a setback in 2016 with four cases from children previously trapped in security-compromised areas.
CONCLUSION
Nigeria interrupted WPV transmission despite the challenges faced because of the emergency management approach, implementation of mass vaccination campaigns, the commitment of the government agencies, support from global polio partners, and special strategies deployed to conduct vaccination and surveillance in the security-compromised areas.
Topics: Child; Humans; Poliovirus; Nigeria; Population Surveillance; Poliomyelitis; Poliovirus Vaccines; Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral; Immunization Programs; Disease Eradication
PubMed: 38370099
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2023.45.2.38079 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2023The Nigeria Polio Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was established in October 2012 to strengthen coordination, provide strategic direction based on real-time data... (Review)
Review
The Nigeria Polio Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was established in October 2012 to strengthen coordination, provide strategic direction based on real-time data analysis, and manage all operational aspects of the polio eradication program. The establishment of seven state-level polio EOCs followed. With success achieved in the interruption of wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission as certified in 2020, the future direction of the polio EOC is under consideration. This paper describes the role of the polio EOC in other emergencies and perspectives on future disease control initiatives. A description of the functionality and operations of the polio EOC and a review of documentation of non-polio activities supported by the EOC was done. Key informant insights of national and state-level stakeholders were collected through an electronic questionnaire to determine their perspectives on the polio EOC's contributions and its future role in other public health interventions. The polio EOC structure is based on an incident management system with clear terms of reference and accountability and with full partner coordination. A decline in WPV1 cases was observed from 122 cases in 2012 to 0 in 2015; previously undetected transmission of WPV1 was confirmed in 2016 and all transmission was interrupted under the coordination of the EOCs at national and state levels. During 2014-2019, the polio EOC infrastructure and staff expertise were used to investigate and respond to outbreaks of Ebola, measles, yellow fever, and meningitis and to oversee maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination campaigns. The EOC structure at the national and state levels has contributed to the positive achievements in the polio eradication program in Nigeria and further in the coordination of other disease control and emergency response activities. The transition of the polio EOCs and their capacities to support other non-polio programs will contribute to harnessing the country's capacity for effective coordination of public health initiatives and disease outbreaks.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Nigeria; Immunization Programs; Population Surveillance; Poliomyelitis; Poliovirus; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Eradication
PubMed: 38370098
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2023.45.2.41308 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2023following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic to Nigeria, the Federal Government of Nigeria restricted human and vehicular movements to curb the spread of the disease....
INTRODUCTION
following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic to Nigeria, the Federal Government of Nigeria restricted human and vehicular movements to curb the spread of the disease. This action had a negative impact on Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance, with a resultant reduction in the number of AFP cases reported. This paper describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on poliovirus surveillance in Nigeria and the proactive interventions by Nigeria´s polio program to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on polio surveillance.
METHODS
nine innovative strategies were implemented in all 774 Local Government Areas (LGA) of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of the country. These strategies were developed by the national surveillance officers and operationalized by sub-national surveillance officers with different strategies starting at different epidemiological weeks from week 14 to 23, 2020. Many of the strategy innovations were technology-based and included: the use of mobile phones to send the AFP case definition and video by WhatsApp or by SMS, the use of state-specific toll-free numbers and Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) (mobile service provider) CallerfeelTM to community informants (CI) who were the main targets of the interventions to increase case detection and reporting. Others included the use of abridged e-surveillance integrated supportive supervision (ISS) checklists, virtual monthly DSNO meetings, and batched AFP stool specimen transportation network.
RESULTS
compared to the same period in 2019, the cumulative rate of AFP case detection and reporting had gradually declined from 39.1% in January to 16.7% before the commencement of the interventions in week 20, 2020. However, the detection and reporting increased by 57.% from week 20 to week 47 compared to the same period in 2019. This is because with COVID-19, hospital visitation dropped, and the sick remained in the communities, so the CI network was relied on to detect and report AFP cases. The cumulative proportion of AFP cases reported by community informants as of week 47 increased from 13% in 2018 to 21% in 2020. This indicates an increase of 38%. Thirty-five AFP cases were detected and reported using the MTN Caller Feel strategy, while 15 cases were reported through state-specific toll-free numbers.
CONCLUSION
the implementation of the innovative strategies was able to mitigate the low AFP case detection and reporting observed at the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of technology facilitated reaching the CI network, which was more instrumental in detecting and reporting the cases.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Nigeria; Pandemics; Paralysis; Poliomyelitis; Poliovirus; Population Surveillance
PubMed: 38370097
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2023.45.2.38261 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2023acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance is the gold standard of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) for detecting cases of poliomyelitis and tracking...
INTRODUCTION
acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance is the gold standard of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) for detecting cases of poliomyelitis and tracking poliovirus transmission. Nigeria's AFP surveillance performance indicators are among the highest in countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region. The primary AFP surveillance performance indicators are the rate of non-polio AFP among children and the proportion of timely, adequate specimen collection. The surveillance working group of the National Emergency Operations Centre assessed the quality of AFP surveillance data in some reportedly high-performing states.
METHODS
we conducted a retrospective review of AFP surveillance performance indicators in Nigeria for 2010-2019. We also reviewed data in reports from four groups of surveillance peer reviews and validation visits (conducted by in-country GPEI partners) during August 2017-May 2019 in 16 states with high primary AFP surveillance indicators; the validation visits reviewed clinical information and the dates of specimen collection and onset of paralysis with caretakers.
RESULTS
there were consistently increasing AFP surveillance primary performance indicators during 2010-2016, followed by declines during 2017-2019. From the data for 16 states with peer reviews conducted from August 2017-May 2019, overall concordance of reported and "true" (validated) AFP indicator data in peer review investigations was highly variable. True AFP concordance ranged from 58%-100%, and stool timeliness concordance ranged from 56%-95%. The most common clinical causes of reported AFP cases that were not true AFP were spastic paralysis, malaria, sickle cell disease, and malnutrition. All the states that participated in peer reviews developed surveillance improvement plans based on the gaps identified.
CONCLUSION
Nigeria has highly sensitive AFP surveillance according to reported primary AFP performance indicators. The findings of peer reviews indicate that the AFP surveillance system needs to be strengthened and well-supervised to enhance data quality.
Topics: Child; Humans; Nigeria; alpha-Fetoproteins; Population Surveillance; Poliomyelitis; Poliovirus; Paralysis
PubMed: 38370096
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2023.45.2.39450 -
Cell & Bioscience Feb 2024Viral infection elicits the type I interferon (IFN-I) response in host cells and subsequently inhibits viral infection through inducing hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes...
BACKGROUND
Viral infection elicits the type I interferon (IFN-I) response in host cells and subsequently inhibits viral infection through inducing hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) that counteract many steps in the virus life cycle. However, most of ISGs have unclear functions and mechanisms in viral infection. Thus, more work is required to elucidate the role and mechanisms of individual ISGs against different types of viruses.
RESULTS
Herein, we demonstrate that poliovirus receptor-like protein4 (PVRL4) is an ISG strongly induced by IFN-I stimulation and various viral infections. Overexpression of PVRL4 protein broadly restricts growth of enveloped RNA and DNA viruses, including vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), influenza A virus (IAV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) whereas deletion of PVRL4 in host cells increases viral infections. Mechanistically, it suppresses viral entry by blocking viral-cellular membrane fusion through inhibiting endosomal acidification. The vivo studies demonstrate that Pvrl4-deficient mice were more susceptible to the infection of VSV and IAV.
CONCLUSION
Overall, our studies not only identify PVRL4 as an intrinsic broad-spectrum antiviral ISG, but also provide a candidate host-directed target for antiviral therapy against various viruses including SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in the future.
PubMed: 38368366
DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01202-y -
African Health Sciences Sep 2023The control of poliomyelitis in Uganda dates back as far as 1950 and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance has since been used as a criterion for identifying wild...
BACKGROUND
The control of poliomyelitis in Uganda dates back as far as 1950 and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance has since been used as a criterion for identifying wild polioviruses. Poliovirus isolation was initially pursued through collaborative research however, in 1993, the Expanded Program on Immunization Laboratory (EPI-LAB) was established as a member of the Global Poliovirus Laboratory Network (GPLN) and spearheaded this activity at Uganda Virus Research Institute.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this report is to document the progress and impact of the EPI-LAB on poliovirus eradication in Uganda.
METHODS
Poliovirus detection and identification were achieved fundamentally through tissue culture and intra-typic differentiation of the poliovirus based on the real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT PCR). The data obtained was entered into the national AFP database and analysed using EpiInfo statistical software.
RESULTS
Quantitative and qualitative detection of wild and Sabin polioviruses corresponded with the polio campaigns. The WHO target indicators for AFP surveillance were achieved essentially throughout the study period.
CONCLUSION
Virological tracking coupled with attaining standard AFP surveillance indicators has been pivotal in achieving and maintaining the national wild polio-free status. Laboratory surveillance remains key in informing the certification process of polio eradication.
Topics: Humans; Uganda; alpha-Fetoproteins; Population Surveillance; Poliomyelitis; Poliovirus; Immunization
PubMed: 38357183
DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v23i3.23 -
BMJ Global Health Feb 2024To assess the effect of providing BCG and oral polio vaccine (OPV) at an early home visit after delivery. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of providing BCG and oral polio vaccine (OPV) at an early home visit after delivery.
DESIGN
Cluster-randomised trial, randomising 92 geographically defined clusters 1:1 to intervention/control arms.
SETTING
Bandim Health Project Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Guinea-Bissau.
PARTICIPANTS
2226 newborns enrolled between July 2016 and August 2019.
INTERVENTIONS
In both arms, newborns received a home visit within 72 hours after birth. In intervention clusters (n=46), BCG and OPV were provided at the home visit.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Rates of non-accidental mortality were compared in Cox proportional hazards models from (last of) day 1 or enrolment, until (first of) day 60 or registration of non-trial vaccines.
RESULTS
A total of 35 deaths (intervention: 7, control: 28) were registered during the trial. Providing BCG and OPV reduced non-accidental early infant mortality by 59% (8-82%). The intervention also reduced non-accidental hospital admissions. The intervention had little impact on growth and BCG scarring and tended to increase the risk of consultations.
CONCLUSIONS
The trial was stopped early due to lower-than-expected enrolment and event rates when 33% of the planned number of newborns had been enrolled. Despite the small size of the trial, the results support that early BCG and OPV vaccinations are beneficial and reduce early child mortality and morbidity.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT02504203).
Topics: Infant; Child; Humans; Infant, Newborn; BCG Vaccine; Guinea-Bissau; Japan; Infant Mortality; Vaccination; Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral
PubMed: 38350670
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014044 -
Health Science Reports Feb 2024Poliomyelitis is an acute neurologic condition that causes muscle weakness, permanent flaccid paralysis, and even death. The world has seen a drastic fall in the number...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Poliomyelitis is an acute neurologic condition that causes muscle weakness, permanent flaccid paralysis, and even death. The world has seen a drastic fall in the number of poliovirus cases owing to effective immunization programs and preventive measures. Pakistan and Afghanistan still remain the two endemic countries for poliovirus, particularly, the WPV1 strain. Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has set a target to eradicate all WPV1 cases by the end of 2023. However, the re-emergence of WPV1 cases has posed a serious setback for the achievement of this target. This article aims to discuss the public health challenges that contribute to resurgence of poliovirus cases.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted using various databases including Cochrane, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, MEDLINE. Only articles written in English were considered. All the articles reporting the incidence of poliovirus and WPV1 cases in Pakistan, surveillance data and global context of poliovirus outbreak were evaluated to write this correspondence. In addition, references from the selected articles were also examined to ensure a comprehensive review of the literature.
RESULTS
This article highlights the factors contributing to the re-emergence of WPV1 cases in Pakistan. Low vaccine coverage, attacks on frontline polio health workers, misinformation, and reluctance to vaccine acceptance pose a daunting challenge for polio eradication. Further, gaps in AFP surveillance and sensitivity may underestimate the true extent of the emerging genetic clusters. The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent flooding in the affected area have further worsened the underdeveloped public health infrastructure.
CONCLUSION
Despite the challenges, the country has observed a significant decline in the number of cases in the past 2 years. It is high time to capitalize on the decrease in WPV1 cases by intensifying the efforts to mitigate and limit the spread of the disease.
PubMed: 38343664
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1862