Poliomyelitis outbreak, Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, September 2010-February 2011

Abstract

On November 4, 2010, the Republic of the Congo declared a poliomyelitis outbreak. A cross-sectional survey in Pointe-Noire showed poor sanitary conditions and low vaccination coverage (55.5%), particularly among young adults. Supplementary vaccination should focus on older age groups in countries with evidence of immunity gaps.

Figure 1

Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, representing the 4 districts, Lumuba, MvouMvou, Tie-Tie, and Loandjili. The gray scale represents the cumulative acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) rate per 100,000 inhabitants September 2010–February 2011. Black area represents the 4 sectors of Mbota where the cross-sectional survey took place. The last census provided by local health authorities occurred in 2007, with a growth rate applied to estimate the 2010 official population size in Pointe-Noire, aggregated by gender and age. We used a 2005 population survey to disaggregate population figures by gender and 5-year age groups and calculate specific acute flaccid paralysis rate. DRC, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Figure 2

Routine vaccination coverage and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) rate by birth cohort. Gray bars represents the vaccination coverage according to the survey implemented in Mbota, Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, in December 2010. Error bars represent the 95% confidence interval). Black squares represent AFP rate per 100,000 inhabitants for each of the designated birth cohorts.