Statement on the 8th IHR Emergency Committee meeting regarding the international spread of poliovirus

The eighth meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) regarding the international spread of poliovirus was convened via teleconference by the Director-General on 12 February 2016. As with the seventh meeting, the Emergency Committee reviewed the data on circulating wild poliovirus as well as circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV). The latter is particularly important as cVDPVs reflect serious gaps in immunity to poliovirus due to weaknesses in routine immunization coverage in otherwise polio-free countries. In addition, it is essential to stop type 2 cVDPVs in advance of the globally synchronized withdrawal of type 2 OPV in April 2016. The following IHR States Parties submitted an update on the implementation of the Temporary Recommendations since the Committee last met on 10 November 2015: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Guinea.
Source: WHO news - Category: Global & Universal Tags: emergencies [subject], emergency preparedness, crises, emergency preparedness, international health regulations [subject], ihr, international health regulations [subject], ihr, poliomyelitis [subject], polio, poliovirus, polio encephalitis, travel [subjec Source Type: news