Kyrgyzstan has taken proactive measures to strengthen its preparedness and response capabilities to effectively manage any potential poliomyelitis (polio) outbreaks in the future.
The WHO European Region has been free of endemic polio since 2002, however, outbreaks of this highly infectious and debilitating disease remain possible in the Region as long as the virus is circulating anywhere in the world. Following a polio outbreak in neighbouring Tajikistan in 2021 and in light of several detections of polioviruses in other countries in the Region in 2022, health authorities in Kyrgyzstan have proactively strengthened surveillance for the virus to detect any possible importation or spread. They have also conducted a nationwide catch-up campaign to vaccinate 260 000 children who missed polio doses in the past and initiated activities to verify readiness for use of the novel oral polio vaccine, in the event it should be needed to stop any potential outbreak of poliovirus type 2.
In addition, Kyrgyzstan conducted a Polio Outbreak Simulation Exercise (POSE) on 11–12 July, the first country to implement such an activity in the European Region since 2019.
“Our success in the polio outbreak simulation exercise reflects Kyrgyzstan’s resolute commitment to safeguarding public health. By empowering our participants with essential skills and knowledge, we bolster our preparedness and response capabilities, ensuring rapid and efficient countermeasures against potential outbreaks,” said Gulnara Zhumagulova, Deputy Director of the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis.
POSE
POSE is a table-top discussion-based simulation exercise designed by WHO/Europe to help Member States critically review their preparedness and update their national polio outbreak response plans.
Each POSE proposes a realistic scenario, and this simulation exercise focused on 2 potential events: the importation of wild poliovirus and the emergence of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2. It brought together key stakeholders and experts from the public health sector and covered crucial aspects of outbreak management, including rapid response coordination, surveillance and detection, laboratory diagnostics, vaccination campaigns, and risk communication and community engagement. Participants gained valuable hands-on experience, equipping them with the essential skills and knowledge needed for a swift and efficient response in the event of an outbreak.
“By simulating realistic scenarios, participants ensure that a rapid and coordinated response mechanism is in place in the event of a poliovirus event or outbreak,” highlighted Dr Shahin Huseynov, ad interim Special Representative of the WHO Regional Director for Europe and Head of the Country Office in Kyrgyzstan.
The simulation exercise was organized at the request of the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan, with technical support provided by WHO/Europe and the country office.
WHO recommends that all countries remain vigilant and strengthen their polio surveillance systems and vaccination programmes. The European Regional Commission for Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication has also repeatedly urged countries in the European Region to be ready for potential outbreaks including by conducting POSE activities.
Source: World Health Organization
