Polio returns to the USA: An epidemiological alert


Rai A., Uwishema O., Uweis L., El Saleh R., Arab S., Abbass M., ...More

Annals of Medicine and Surgery, vol.82, 2022 (ESCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 82
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104563
  • Journal Name: Annals of Medicine and Surgery
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
  • Keywords: Polio, United States of America, OPV, VDPV2, VAPP, USA
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

© 2022 The AuthorsOn July 21, 2022, the USA witnessed the first case of poliomyelitis after 3 decades of its eradication. Poliomyelitis is a crippling disease that results from infection with any one of the three related poliovirus types (referred to as types P1, P2, and P3), members of the enterovirus (picornavirus) family. The New York State Department of Health confirmed that a case of paralytic poliomyelitis was reported from a 20-year-old Hungarian traveller residing in Rockland County. The detected viral sequence has been found to have vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) suggesting an origin from the live attenuated oral polio vaccine (OPV). Since immunisation remains the only preventable measure, this article explores suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on reliable Inactivated (killed) polio vaccination in high-risk patients along with early case detection and treatment. In light of the above-mentioned findings, this research further details future recommendations like cessation of the OPV, encouragement of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) in vaccination schedules, sensitive epidemiological surveillance system and appropriate training for healthcare providers. The affected countries have been further advised to have effective outbreak response strategy plans in place so that they can respond and stay prepared for such outbreaks in the future.