Ethiopia
Status: affected by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus
Status: affected by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus
Polio this week in Ethiopia
- No case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was reported this week. There are nine cases reported in 2021 so far. The total number of 2020 cases remains at 36.
- Read our Ethiopia country page for more information.
WHO risk assessment
WHO assesses the risk of international spread of cVDPV2 across the Horn of Africa to be high.
WHO advice
It is important that all countries, in particular those with frequent travel and contacts with polio-affected countries and areas, strengthen surveillance for AFP cases in order to rapidly detect any new virus importation and to facilitate a rapid response. Countries, territories and areas should also maintain uniformly high routine immunization coverage at the district level to minimize the consequences of any new virus introduction.
International Health Regulations
Ethiopia is classified by the International Health Regulations (IHR) as a state infected with cVDPV2, with potential risk of international spread. It is therefore subject to temporary recommendations as of August 2021.
Travel advice
WHO’s International Travel and Health recommends that all travellers to polio-affected areas be fully vaccinated against polio. Residents (and visitors for more than 4 weeks) from infected areas should receive an additional dose of OPV or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) within 4 weeks to 12 months of travel.