Social investigation report of cVDPV2 outbreak in Dagahaley Refugee Camp, Dadaab Sub-County, Garissa County, Kenya, November 2021
Introduction: A 17-month-old female from Somalia was found positive for poliovirus type two, which was genetically linked to environmental samples from Garissa County that had been in circulation for seven years. We investigated the outbreak of an imported case from Somalia that occurred in the Daga...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
African Field Epidemiology Network
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://afenet-journal.org/social-investigation-report-of-cvdpv2-outbreak-in-dagahaley-refugee-camp-dadaab-sub-county-garissa-county-kenya-november-2021/ |
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| Summary: | Introduction: A 17-month-old female from Somalia was found positive for poliovirus type two, which was genetically linked to environmental samples from Garissa County that had been in circulation for seven years. We investigated the outbreak of an imported case from Somalia that occurred in the Dagahaley refugee camp to describe the epidemiology of the epidemic and identify the risk factors. Methods: We conducted a descriptive field investigation, which included retrospective case searching, a health facility review in nine purposively selected health facilities, and household (HH) survey in 61 households (31 HHs in the camp and 30 HHs in the host community). Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using the Open Data Kit. We defined a case as any person with poliovirus isolated in their stool. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The case was a 17-month-old female child who was a zero dose and had arrived with her mother from Somalia to visit a relative in Dagahaley camp. She had paralysis on the right upper and lower limbs. From August through October 2021, 51 children aged under five years arrived. In the refugee camp, 49/51 (96.1%) had not received first dose of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). Three facilities in the camp had less than 80% OPV3 and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) coverage, while 7/61 (11.5%) families had no sanitation facilities and practiced open defecation. Conclusion: Our investigation found that the unvaccinated child caused the cVDPV2 outbreak. The main concern is the high numbers of vulnerable populations who serve as a breeding ground for disease outbreaks and reservoirs for disease vectors. We recommended strengthening polio cross-border surveillance systems by utilising the existing structures and ensuring high vaccination coverage. |
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| ISSN: | 2664-2824 |