15 September 2005:

Polio update - Somalia, Indonesia, Angola, Yemen

Somalia

The World Health Organization has reported a case of polio in Somalia, a country which had been polio-free since 2002. [1]

The case occurred in a 15 month old child in the capital, Mogadishu. The child had onset of paralysis on 12 July 2005. Genetic sequencing is ongoing to determine the origin of the virus.

A new emergency immunization plan has been launched by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to prevent the re-establishment of polio in the Horn of Africa. [2] The campaigns will include eight African countries - Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, and parts of Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and will reach more than 34 million children.

Indonesia

Since March 2005, 226 cases of polio have been reported from Indonesia. [3] Five Indonesian provinces: Banten, West Java, Jakarta and Central Java on the island of Java and Lampung on the island of Sumatra, are now affected by this outbreak.

The outbreak in Indonesia is the largest recorded outbreak in the country, and now threatens many countries across Asia. In response, Indonesia’s largest ever immunisation campaign was planned for 30 and 31 August 2005, with the aim of vaccinating 24 million children.

Angola

Seven confirmed cases of polio have now been reported in Angola, as of the end of August 2005. [3]

The first case was reported from Luanda on 24 June 2005 and was a type-1 polio virus originating from India.

The country held its second national immunisation day on 26 August 2005.

Yemen

As of the end of August 2005, Yemen accounted for 37% of the global polio cases, with a total of 458 cases being reported. [3]

However, epidemiological surveillance continues to suggest that the outbreak is being bought under control. A third national immunisation day took place in Yemen on 21 August 2005 in response to the outbreak.

These polio outbreaks that have originated from imported wild type polio virus underline the importance of stopping transmission of polio in endemic countries. Until this occurs, all countries remain at risk for introduction of polio.

Travellers to polio risk countries should ensure that their polio vaccination is up-to-date. Travellers whose last dose of polio vaccine was more than ten years previously should receive a booster.

References

1. World Health Organization. Poliomyelitis in Somalia. 13 September 2005. Available at:  http://www.who.int/csr/don/2005_09_13/en/index.html

2. Global Polio Eradication Initiative. New emergency immunization plan launched to protect Horn of Africa, as polio is confirmed in Somalia. 13 September 2005. Available at: http://www.polioeradication.org/content/pressreleases/

20050913.doc

3. Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Monthly situation report September 2005. Available at: http://www.polioeradication.org/content/general/current_

monthly_sitrep.asp

Links

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

NaTHNaC Poliomyelitis Information Sheet

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