(Vax Before Travel)

The International Health Regulations national focal point for Yemen notified the WHO of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in stool samples from children with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in Yemen.

As per the report released, the WHO Emergency Committee expressed concern at the continued rapid spread of cVDPV2 to many countries and noted that the risk of international spread of cVDPV2 is currently high.

On December 9, 2021, the WHO reported the first case, a girl from Thubab district, Taiz governorate, south-western Yemen. She experienced an onset of paralysis on August 30. The child had not been vaccinated against polio. Two stool samples were collected, and VDPV2 was confirmed on November 22, with ten nucleotide differences from the Sabin type 2 poliovirus vaccine strain.

The second case, a 26-month-old girl from Marib district, Marib governorate, north-east of Sana’a city, experienced onset of paralysis on September 1. The child had also not been vaccinated against polio. Stool specimens were collected, and VDPV2 was confirmed on November 22 with 11 nucleotide differences from the Sabin type 2 poliovirus vaccine strain.

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