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Malawi Confirms Outbreak of Poliovirus Type Two
(MENAFN) Malawi's government announced a poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak Saturday after detection in environmental monitoring samples, Health Ministry officials confirmed.
Secretary for Health and Sanitation Dan Namarika revealed the virus emerged during standard sewage surveillance conducted at two locations in Blantyre, the nation's commercial hub.
Health authorities issued warnings that the pathogen poses severe medical threats and can trigger permanent paralysis, particularly among children, mirroring risks associated with wild poliovirus strains.
"Following advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), the ministry is working around the clock to intensify measures to contain the outbreak, as we did in 2022. We therefore urge the general public to maintain food hygiene precautions to prevent the spread of the virus and to ensure that children are fully vaccinated," said Namarika.
"We are putting in place plans to conduct supplementary immunization campaigns to protect children and prevent further transmission," he said.
Malawi previously executed a polio response operation in 2022 following wild poliovirus type 1 detection.
In February 2022, following three decades without recorded cases, Malawi declared a polio emergency after wild polio virus appeared in a 14-year-old child. No subsequent cases emerged until the current outbreak.
The UN children's agency, UNICEF, has partnered with Malawi's government in eradication efforts. Beyond delivering 6.8 million vaccine doses, UNICEF has bolstered the comprehensive immunization distribution infrastructure.
Polio damages the nervous system and without intervention, can result in permanent physical impairment.
Secretary for Health and Sanitation Dan Namarika revealed the virus emerged during standard sewage surveillance conducted at two locations in Blantyre, the nation's commercial hub.
Health authorities issued warnings that the pathogen poses severe medical threats and can trigger permanent paralysis, particularly among children, mirroring risks associated with wild poliovirus strains.
"Following advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), the ministry is working around the clock to intensify measures to contain the outbreak, as we did in 2022. We therefore urge the general public to maintain food hygiene precautions to prevent the spread of the virus and to ensure that children are fully vaccinated," said Namarika.
"We are putting in place plans to conduct supplementary immunization campaigns to protect children and prevent further transmission," he said.
Malawi previously executed a polio response operation in 2022 following wild poliovirus type 1 detection.
In February 2022, following three decades without recorded cases, Malawi declared a polio emergency after wild polio virus appeared in a 14-year-old child. No subsequent cases emerged until the current outbreak.
The UN children's agency, UNICEF, has partnered with Malawi's government in eradication efforts. Beyond delivering 6.8 million vaccine doses, UNICEF has bolstered the comprehensive immunization distribution infrastructure.
Polio damages the nervous system and without intervention, can result in permanent physical impairment.
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