DUSHANBE, April 30, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- As of April 28 2010, the health authorities in Tajikistan have reported 171 cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) to World Health Organization (WHO), the WHO Regional Office for Europe reported on April 29.

Laboratory tests have confirmed wild poliovirus type 1 in 32 cases; classification is pending for the remaining 139.  Out of 68 administrative territories in Tajikistan, 24 are affected.  All cases have been reported from the south-west of the country.  So far, 12 deaths have been registered: 10 in children (under 15 years of age) and 2 in adults. Genetic sequencing has determined that the poliovirus found in Tajikistan is most closely related to virus from Uttar Pradesh, India.

A WHO expert team has been in Tajikistan since April 16 2010, investigating the outbreak and providing technical support to the Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). WHO keeps all WHO Member States informed about its epidemiological and clinical findings through channels established by the International Health Regulations (IHR).  On April 26, 4 million doses of monovalent oral polio vaccine (mOPV1), supplied and deployed by UNICEF, arrived in Tajikistan.  According to current plans, 1 090 000 children under 5 years of age will be vaccinated in three rounds of immunization starting next week.

WHO’s technical assistance program in Tajikistan has short- and medium-term goals. In the short term, WHO is conducting a comprehensive outbreak investigation to support authorities in strengthening AFP surveillance and active case finding, ensure appropriate clinical management of patients and coordinate the nationwide vaccination program. In the medium term, WHO supports the Government in strengthening its health system, including AFP surveillance structures, immunization programs and capacities for outbreak response. WHO will continue this support until the outbreak is brought under control and advanced surveillance and immunization programs are put in place.

WHO is in close contact with governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan about preparedness and response measures.  WHO has begun a risk assessment to identify other Member States at high risk of polio importation.  In preparing their response, the health ministries of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are receiving support from WHO, UNICEF, CDC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and other members of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.  WHO and UNICEF are urgently seeking funds to support their work.  Rotary International, CDC and the Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom have already pledged emergency funding to support WHO’s work on the ground and UNICEF’s vaccination and social mobilization activities.  Over US$ 1.2 million was raised during the past week.