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Background Efficient implementation of the global eradication strategies consisting of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance and mass immunization campaigns led to interruption of indigenous wild poliovirus transmission in Cameroon in 1999. Objectives This study describes type 1 and type 3 wild poliovirus (WPV) importation, incidence, geographic distribution and control since the original interruption of transmission in Cameroon. Study design Stool samples from AFP patients under the age of 15 years in Cameroon were collected nationwide and subjected to virus isolation on RD and L20B cell cultures. Resulting virus isolates were typed by intratypic differentiation (ITD) and analysis of the VP1 coding sequence of the viral genome. Surveillance data originating from Cameroon between 2000 and 2014 were considered for retrospective descriptive analyses. Results From 2003 to 2009, multiple WPV importation events from neighboring countries affected mainly in the northern regions of Cameroon but did not led to sustained local transmission. Throughout this period, 16 WPV1 and 5 WPV3 were detected and identified as members of multiple clusters within type-specific West Africa B genotypes (WEAF-B). In 2013–2014, a polio outbreak associated to a highly evolved (“orphan”) WPV1 affected four southern regions of Cameroon. Conclusions The appearance of highly evolved lineage of type 1 WPV suggests potential surveillance gap and underscore the need to maintain comprehensive polio immunization activities and sensitive surveillance systems in place as long as any country in the world remains endemic for WPV.

Background Israel has used an inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)-only schedule since 2005 (95% coverage). Silent reintroduction of wild type poliovirus 1 (WPV1) into Israel in early 2013 was detected in Southern Israel via routine environmental surveillance without clinical cases. Objectives To estimate the rate of WPV1 excretion by age and residence and inform decision-making regarding supplemental immunization with OPV. Study design A convenience sample of Bedouin and Jewish residential areas in the epicenter of the incident, focusing on under 8 year-olds who not previously given OPV. Fecal samples were directly tested for WPV1 RNA using a novel qRT-PCR assay. Positive samples were confirmed by gold standard cell culture and subject to genotyping. Results Overall, 2196 non-duplicate fecal samples were collected and analyzed. WPV1 was detected in 61 samples (2.8%), 55 of which (90.2%) were from Bedouins. WPV1 excretion rates were 5.4% among Bedouins and 0.6% among Jewish individuals. Respective age-specific rates among Bedouin and Jewish children were 4.9% and 0.2% for 0–2 years and 7.2% and 1.7% for 2–8 years. Molecular testing had 89.5% sensitivity (higher than culture) and 100% specificity. Conclusion The rapid performance of a field study to evaluate WPV1 excretion unequivocally demonstrated substantial WPV1 infection rates among children under 8 years in Southern Israel, thus informing the decision to vaccinate this age group with bOPV and risk communication to both healthcare personnel and the public. Rapid development and implementation of molecular screening can thus underpin risk assessment and management in complex epidemiological situations.

Erratum to “Field study of fecal excretion as a decision support tool in response to silent reintroduction of wild-type poliovirus 1 into Israel” [J. Clin. Virol. 66 (2015) 51–55] Jacob Moran-Gilada,b,∗, Ella Mendelsonc,d, Cara C. Burnse, Ravit Bassal f, Michael Gdalevichg, Danit Soferc, M. Steven Oberstee, Lester M. Shulmanc,d, Ehud Kalinera, Musa Hindiyehc, Orna Morc, Liora Shaharg, Jane Ibere, Ruth Yishayh, Joseph Manorc, Boaz Lev i, Ronni Gamzud,i, Itamar Grottoa,b