Three countries in two regions reported new polio cases this week, all of them involving vaccine-derived viruses, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) said in its latest weekly update.
In Africa, Chad reported 4 cases involving circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), raising its total for the year to 29. The new infections were in Lac, Logone Oriental, and Logone Occidental regions.
Also, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 16 cVDPV2 cases, pushing its 2023 total to 81. The illnesses were mostly in Kasai Oriental province, but also in Tanganyika, Bas Uele, and Haut Lomami provinces. The country also reported 6 cases involving circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1), bringing that total to 54 and the total of vaccine-derived cases to 135. Five of those cases were in Haut Katanga, and 1 was in Tanganyika.
In the Middle East, Yemen reported one cVDPV2 case, marking its first of the year. The patient is from Alhudiadah, and officials are planning a surveillance review to identify any gaps in case finding. Last year, Yemen reported 162 cVDPV2 cases.