14 March 2006.

 

Update on the status of poliomyelitis

The World Health Organization has reviewed the global status of poliomyelitis from 2002 through early 2006 [1, 2]. 

Following the World Health Assembly 1988 resolution to eradicate polio [3], the number of countries that were endemic for polio decreased from 125 in 1988 to four as of 1 February 2006.  These four countries are Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan; Egypt and Niger were removed from the endemic list in January 2006.  This success in control of polio is tempered by the introduction from 2002 to 2005 of wild type polio from the countries that remain endemic (primarily Nigeria) into 21 previously polio-free countries.  The 21 countries that have been affected by importations are: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Lebanon, Mali, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, and Yemen. 

Rapid case detection and reporting, and extensive vaccination campaigns have re-established control of polio in many of the countries with recent re-introduction of infection.  Twelve countries have reported cases in the last six months; eight countries with imported polio: Angola, Chad, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nepal, Niger, Somalia, and Yemen; and the four endemic countries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.    

Continued progress in the eradication of polio requires high baseline vaccination coverage, timely surveillance, and the ability to rapidly respond with control measures, including vaccination in the event of a polio outbreak.

Recommendations for travellers

All travellers should be up-to-date with the UK immunisation schedule and receive a booster dose of polio (usually with the tetanus, diphtheria, polio vaccine [Revaxis®]) if they have not had one within the previous ten years and are travelling to polio-risk countries.

Further recommendations can be found on the NaTHNaC Website:

NaTHNaC Clinical Update: Poliomyelitis and changes to recommendations for travellers 19 August 2004 http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/clinical_updates/polio_recommen

da tions.htm

References

1. World Health Organization. Resurgence of wild poliovirus type 1 transmission and consequences of importation - 21 countries, 2002-2005. Wkly Epidem Rec. 81:63-8, 2006. http://www.who.int/wer/2006/wer8107.pdf

2. Hovi T, and the surveillance team. Poliomyelitis outbreaks in Africa and Asia: importation of infections a serious risk for polio-free countries with low vaccine coverage. Eurosurveillance Weekly. 11 (3), 2006. 9 March 2006 [accessed 14 March 2006]. Available at:

http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ew/2006/060309.asp#2

3. World Health Organization. Global Polio Eradication Initiative - The History. Available at: http://www.polioeradication.org/history.asp.

 

Links

World Health Organization. Global Polio Eradication Initiative. http://www.polioeradication.org/