Sierra Leone
Status: affected by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV)
Polio this week in Sierra Leone
- Six cVDPV2-positive environmental samples were reported in the Western Area.
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
Sierra Leone is classified by the International Health Regulations (IHR) as a state no longer infected by cVDPV, but which remain vulnerable to re-infection. It is therefore subject to Temporary Recommendations issued by the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Polio Eradication (issued as of March 2024).
