Tracking acute flaccid paralysis in Niger: a half-decade epidemiological portrait (2016–2021)

Abstract Background Recently, a total of 74 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreaks were detected in 39 countries, with 672 confirmed Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases identified in 27 countries. Despite progress, Niger experienced cVDPV outbreaks in 2018, highlighting the importa...

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Main Authors: El Khalef Ishagh, Marc Talatou Ouédraogo, Batouré Oumarou, Mutenda Sheria Kaya, Gbaguidi Aichatou Diawara, Abdoulaye Macire Camara, Seyni Moussa, Kuyangisa Bienvenu, Joseph Toko, Hamidou Harouna, Haladou Moussa, N.’Zue Kofi, Jacques L. Tamuzi, Patrick D. M. C. Katoto, Charles S. Wiysonge, Blanche-Philomene Melanga Anya, Manengu Casimir Tshikolasoni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10457-w
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author El Khalef Ishagh
Marc Talatou Ouédraogo
Batouré Oumarou
Mutenda Sheria Kaya
Gbaguidi Aichatou Diawara
Abdoulaye Macire Camara
Seyni Moussa
Kuyangisa Bienvenu
Joseph Toko
Hamidou Harouna
Haladou Moussa
N.’Zue Kofi
Jacques L. Tamuzi
Patrick D. M. C. Katoto
Charles S. Wiysonge
Blanche-Philomene Melanga Anya
Manengu Casimir Tshikolasoni
author_facet El Khalef Ishagh
Marc Talatou Ouédraogo
Batouré Oumarou
Mutenda Sheria Kaya
Gbaguidi Aichatou Diawara
Abdoulaye Macire Camara
Seyni Moussa
Kuyangisa Bienvenu
Joseph Toko
Hamidou Harouna
Haladou Moussa
N.’Zue Kofi
Jacques L. Tamuzi
Patrick D. M. C. Katoto
Charles S. Wiysonge
Blanche-Philomene Melanga Anya
Manengu Casimir Tshikolasoni
author_sort El Khalef Ishagh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Recently, a total of 74 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreaks were detected in 39 countries, with 672 confirmed Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases identified in 27 countries. Despite progress, Niger experienced cVDPV outbreaks in 2018, highlighting the importance of maintaining AFP surveillance as a tool for polio eradication. This analysis aims to comprehensively assess AFP surveillance trends, patterns, and challenges in Niger, offering insights for public health initiatives in conflict-affected contexts. Methods We analyzed nationwide AFP surveillance data from 2016 to 2021. The data included information about the person's background, vaccinations, medical history, cVDPV, AFP cases, stool samples, how quickly AFP cases were reported, how complete weekly zero reporting (WZR) was, and non-polio enteroviruses (NPEV). Tables, graphs, and maps presented the study findings. Results A total of 4,134 AFP cases under 15 years old were included, with a sex ratio of 1.3. Most cases (79.85%) were aged 1 to 4 years, and 79.44% received three or more doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV). Fever onset (90.13%), asymmetric paralysis (80.33%), and a 3-day AFP progression (80.48%) were common. cVDPV2 was found in 33 cases, predominantly in Zinder province. The annualized non-polio AFP rate per 100,000 population < 15 years fluctuated, with the lowest at 2.5 in 2016 and highest at 8.7 in 2018 (mean 5.93). Surveillance indicators, including faecal specimen collection, follow-up exams, NPEV detection, timeliness of AFP case notification, WZR, and timely laboratory results performed above the set target. However, stool specimen quality was suboptimal (69% in 2016), timeliness of AFP case investigation and contact sampling, and stool transportation times were below the set target. Five districts reported less than 80% stool adequacy. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of continued AFP surveillance in Niger, with room for improvement in stool specimen quality and transportation times. Enhancing these aspects can improve public health efforts in conflict-affected areas and contribute to polio eradication in the region.
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series BMC Infectious Diseases
spelling doaj-art-0f49ad0d46c64045b3e67bc891c1b0eb2025-01-19T12:11:44ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342025-01-0125111310.1186/s12879-025-10457-wTracking acute flaccid paralysis in Niger: a half-decade epidemiological portrait (2016–2021)El Khalef Ishagh0Marc Talatou Ouédraogo1Batouré Oumarou2Mutenda Sheria Kaya3Gbaguidi Aichatou Diawara4Abdoulaye Macire Camara5Seyni Moussa6Kuyangisa Bienvenu7Joseph Toko8Hamidou Harouna9Haladou Moussa10N.’Zue Kofi11Jacques L. Tamuzi12Patrick D. M. C. Katoto13Charles S. Wiysonge14Blanche-Philomene Melanga Anya15Manengu Casimir Tshikolasoni16Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Direction de La Surveillance Et La Réponse Aux Epidémies du Ministère de La Santé Publique, de La Population Et Des Affaires Sociale, Chargé de La SurveillanceBureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch UniversityCochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research CouncilBureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Bureau de L’Organisation Mondiale de La Santé (OMS)Abstract Background Recently, a total of 74 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreaks were detected in 39 countries, with 672 confirmed Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases identified in 27 countries. Despite progress, Niger experienced cVDPV outbreaks in 2018, highlighting the importance of maintaining AFP surveillance as a tool for polio eradication. This analysis aims to comprehensively assess AFP surveillance trends, patterns, and challenges in Niger, offering insights for public health initiatives in conflict-affected contexts. Methods We analyzed nationwide AFP surveillance data from 2016 to 2021. The data included information about the person's background, vaccinations, medical history, cVDPV, AFP cases, stool samples, how quickly AFP cases were reported, how complete weekly zero reporting (WZR) was, and non-polio enteroviruses (NPEV). Tables, graphs, and maps presented the study findings. Results A total of 4,134 AFP cases under 15 years old were included, with a sex ratio of 1.3. Most cases (79.85%) were aged 1 to 4 years, and 79.44% received three or more doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV). Fever onset (90.13%), asymmetric paralysis (80.33%), and a 3-day AFP progression (80.48%) were common. cVDPV2 was found in 33 cases, predominantly in Zinder province. The annualized non-polio AFP rate per 100,000 population < 15 years fluctuated, with the lowest at 2.5 in 2016 and highest at 8.7 in 2018 (mean 5.93). Surveillance indicators, including faecal specimen collection, follow-up exams, NPEV detection, timeliness of AFP case notification, WZR, and timely laboratory results performed above the set target. However, stool specimen quality was suboptimal (69% in 2016), timeliness of AFP case investigation and contact sampling, and stool transportation times were below the set target. Five districts reported less than 80% stool adequacy. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of continued AFP surveillance in Niger, with room for improvement in stool specimen quality and transportation times. Enhancing these aspects can improve public health efforts in conflict-affected areas and contribute to polio eradication in the region.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10457-wAFPEradicationPolioSurveillanceEpidemiologyNiger
spellingShingle El Khalef Ishagh
Marc Talatou Ouédraogo
Batouré Oumarou
Mutenda Sheria Kaya
Gbaguidi Aichatou Diawara
Abdoulaye Macire Camara
Seyni Moussa
Kuyangisa Bienvenu
Joseph Toko
Hamidou Harouna
Haladou Moussa
N.’Zue Kofi
Jacques L. Tamuzi
Patrick D. M. C. Katoto
Charles S. Wiysonge
Blanche-Philomene Melanga Anya
Manengu Casimir Tshikolasoni
Tracking acute flaccid paralysis in Niger: a half-decade epidemiological portrait (2016–2021)
BMC Infectious Diseases
AFP
Eradication
Polio
Surveillance
Epidemiology
Niger
title Tracking acute flaccid paralysis in Niger: a half-decade epidemiological portrait (2016–2021)
title_full Tracking acute flaccid paralysis in Niger: a half-decade epidemiological portrait (2016–2021)
title_fullStr Tracking acute flaccid paralysis in Niger: a half-decade epidemiological portrait (2016–2021)
title_full_unstemmed Tracking acute flaccid paralysis in Niger: a half-decade epidemiological portrait (2016–2021)
title_short Tracking acute flaccid paralysis in Niger: a half-decade epidemiological portrait (2016–2021)
title_sort tracking acute flaccid paralysis in niger a half decade epidemiological portrait 2016 2021
topic AFP
Eradication
Polio
Surveillance
Epidemiology
Niger
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10457-w
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