A vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak in the Eastern Mediterranean Region should be anticipated, according to recommendations made at the conference on "Strengthening Public health Preparedness and Response: Challenges, Opportunities and Ways Forward."

The conference, which was organized by the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) in its eighth edition, released a statement from the Scientific Committee stating that in order to lower the likelihood of an outbreak of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, increased efforts must be made to improve national response readiness, regularly conduct simulation exercises to evaluate the efficacy of emergency plans, and work to improve routine immunization coverage for all children. Additionally, early monitoring systems for acute flaccid paralysis at the community level must be strengthened.