23 June 2006

 

Global status of poliomyelitis

In February 2006, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative announced that the number of countries endemic for polio dropped to an all-time low of four [1]. Those countries that remain endemic are Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Egypt and Niger, which had been considered polio-endemic, have remained free of transmission for more than 12 months.

Despite success in controlling polio in a number of countries, several other countries have reported imported cases of polio in 2006 following extended periods of being polio-free. These countries include Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and Namibia [2, 3]. 

In the Windhoek area of Namibia there are currently more than 100 suspected cases of polio under investigation [4]. Prior to this outbreak Namibia had been polio-free since 1996. The first case is thought to be a 39 year old man who was confirmed as infected with wild polio virus type-1 following onset of symptoms on 8 May. Genetic sequencing has determined that the virus is consistent with an importation from Angola, and originally of Indian origin. The first of three National Immunization Days, aiming to immunise the entire population of Namibia, was scheduled for 21 June.

Countries that have reported cases of polio in 2006 are: Afghanistan (13 cases), Bangladesh (3), DR Congo (3), Ethiopia (3), India (53), Indonesia (2), Namibia (4), Nepal (1), Niger (4), Nigeria (467), Pakistan (6), Somalia (25) and Yemen (1). The numbers of cases in parentheses are confirmed cases as of 20 June 2006 [5].

Outbreaks of polio will continue to occur as long as countries have low levels of polio vaccination coverage, and cases of polio are occurring globally. Travellers to areas considered to be a risk for polio should ensure they are vaccinated. Travellers whose last polio vaccine was more than ten years ago, should receive the combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccine.

References

1. Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Polio endemic countries hit all time low of four. 1 February 2006 [cited 23 June 2006] Available online at http://www.polioeradication.org/content/pressreleases/

20060201press.asp

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Update on the global status of poliomyelitis. 7 June 2006. [cited 23 June 2006] Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/poliomyelitis_recent_

outbreaks_2005.htm

3. Global Polio Eradicatin Initiative. Monthly Situation Report, June 2006. [cited 23 June 2006] Available at: http://www.polioeradication.org/content/general/current_

monthly_sitrep.asp

4. Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Response to polio outbreak in Namibia. 21 June 2006. [cited 23 June 2006] Available at http://www.polioeradication.org/content/general/

Outbreak_UpdatesNMB20060606.asp

5. Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Global case count. 20 June 2006. [cited 23 June 2006. Available at: http://www.polioeradication.org/casecount.asp

Links

NaTHNaC poliomyelitis information sheet

http://www.NaTHNaC.org/pro/factsheets/polio.htm

Global Polio Eradication Initiative

http://www.polioeradication.org/