Update on Wild Poliovirus Type 1 Outbreak - Southeastern Africa, 2021-2022.

Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) began in 1988, the number of wild poliovirus (WPV) cases has declined by >99.99%. Five of the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions have been certified free of indigenous WPV, and WPV serotypes 2 and 3 have been declared eradicated globally (1).

PCR investigation of infections in patients consulting at a healthcare centre over a four-year period during the Grand Magal of Touba.

Background: Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and febrile illness are the most common complaints among ill pilgrims attending the Grand Magal of Touba (GMT) in Senegal.

Methods: Patients presenting with respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms or febrile systemic illnesses were recruited between 2018 and 2021 at a healthcare centre close to Touba. Respiratory, gastrointestinal and blood samples were tested for potential pathogens using qPCR.

Quality of care and respect of human rights in mental health services in four West African countries: collaboration between the mental health leadership and advocacy programme and the World Health Organization QualityRights initiative.

Background: Although recent reports suggest that service users in West African psychiatric facilities are exposed to poor quality of care and human rights violations, evidence is lacking on the extent and profile of specific deficits in the services provided to persons with mental health conditions.

Aims: To evaluate the quality of care and respect of human rights in psychiatric facilities in four West African countries, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, using the World Health Organization QualityRights Toolkit.

Method: Trained research workers collected information through observation, review of records and interviews with service users, caregivers and staff.

A Survey to Assess Serological Prevalence of Poliovirus Antibodies in Areas With High-Risk for Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Transmission in Chad.

Background: World Health Organization African region is wild poliovirus-free; however, outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) continue to expand across the continent including in Chad. We conducted a serological survey of polio antibodies in polio high-risk areas of Chad to assess population immunity against poliovirus and estimate the risk of future outbreaks.

Methods: This was a community-based, cross-sectional survey carried out in September 2019.