Following the detection of VDPV 3 type poliovirus derived from the Sabin vaccine strain in wastewater in Guyana, a vaccination catch-up plan and diagnostic awareness operations were put in place.
By Sophie HOGUIN, published on November 14, 2024
When infected with poliovirus, the virus multiplies in the intestine and is excreted through the stools of infected people. The viral particles present in the stool are then found in wastewater.
Santé Publique France (SpF) reported that as part of a research project coordinated by the ANRS-MIE, polioviruses derived from the Sabin type 3 vaccine strain (PVDV 3), presenting a similar genetic profile, were detected in wastewater samples collected between May and August 2024 in several wastewater treatment plants in Guyana (Cayenne, Saint-Georges and Remire-Montjoly).
This is the first detection of VDPV circulating in a region in France since the 2000s. These detections demonstrate a silent circulation of VDPV3 within a Guyanese population with insufficiently vaccinated population groups.
Genetic analyzes of these samples carried out by the National Reference Center for Enteroviruses and Parechoviruses (Institut Pasteur Paris) show that these strains should be considered as strains of wild poliovirus since they could cause paralysis. Their presence at least two months apart, however, confirms human-to-human transmission.
Strengthen vaccination
The ECDC has endorsed WHO's temporary recommendations for EU/EEA citizens who reside in or are long-term visitors (>4 weeks) to Guyana: an additional dose of poliovirus vaccine should be administered between four weeks and 12 months before international travel. Travelers to Guyana must be vaccinated in accordance with their national schedules.
Faced with the situation, health authorities in collaboration with health professionals have launched a catch-up vaccination campaign (in schools, for infants or children not yet admitted to the community). Furthermore, health professionals in Guyana authorized to vaccinate are also invited to check the vaccination status of their patients throughout the territory, in particular children and immunocompromised people, and to carry out catch-up vaccinations if necessary.
Vigilance on diagnosis
An alert to health professionals was communicated reminding the action to be taken in the face of any suspicion of poliomyelitis and in particular the taking of samples suitable for genome research by PCR and/or culture (2 stools taken 24 hours apart) by the CNR for enteroviruses and parechoviruses and looking for differential diagnoses (nasopharyngeal swab, blood) by the CNR or any other medical biology laboratory.
France
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