Overview of Polio Outbreak Response in Kenya, 2013 to 2015

Abstract

Background: Globally, tremendous improvement has been made in Polio eradication since its inception in 1988. For the third time in a decade, Kenya has experienced a Polio outbreak along the border with Somalia. The affected areas were in Garissa County, replete with previous occurrences in 2006 and 2012. This article, give an account of series of events and activities that were used to stop the transmission within 13 weeks, an interval between the first and the last case of the 2013 outbreak. Methods: In an attempt to stop further transmission and time bound closure of the outbreak, many activities were brought to fore: the known traditional methods, innovative approaches, improved finances and surge capacity. These assisted in case detection, implementation, and coordination of activities. The external outbreak assessments and the six-monthly technical advisory group recommendations were also employed. Result: There were increased case detections of >=2/100,000, stool adequacy >=80%, due to enhanced surveillance, timely feedbacks from laboratory investigation and diagnosis. Sustained coverage in supplemental immunisation of > 90%, ensured that immune profile of >=3 polio vaccine doses was quickly attained to protect the targeted population, prevent further polio infection and eventual reduction of cases coming up with paralysis. Conclusion: Overall, the outbreak was stopped within the 120 days of the first case using 14 rounds of supplemental immunisation activities.

Bio-Inspired Computational Methods for the Polio Virus Epidemic Model

“…Haqqi et al [3] explored the impact of COVID-19 on the global polio eradication initiative in Pakistan. Nwogu et al [4] overviewed the outbreak of polio in Kenya from 2013 to 2015. Bandyopadhyaya et al [5] found the end game of polio eradication in final frontiers.…”