Update: July 5, 2005
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to monitor reports
of poliovirus transmission globally.
Indonesia
Between June 26 and July 5, 2005, health authorities in Indonesia
confirmed an additional 35 cases of polio, bringing the country’s
total case count to 100, since May 02, 2005. At this time, cases have
been recorded in the neighbouring districts of Sukabumi, Lebak, Bogor,
Cianjur, and Serang in West Java (also known as Jawa Berat); in the Demak
district in Central Java (also known as Jawa Tengah); and in the provinces
of Banten and Lampung. T he viral strain in this outbreak has been confirmed
as type-1 and is genetically linked to poliovirus circulating in Nigeria
. Indonesia had been polio-free since 1995.
Angola
On 24 June 2005, the Ministry of Health of Angola reported its first
case of polio since 2001. A 17-month old girl, from the metropolitan
area of the capital, Luanda, with a previous history of oral polio vaccine
(OPV), developed fever and paralysis in both legs on 25 April. The affected
child and her family have no travel history
Testing of t he type-1 wild poliovirus identified
in this case shows that it originated in India, and suggests that the
virus was recently imported into Angola. An investigation did not detect
spread beyond the community.
Cases of Polio in 2005 as reported by the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative – as of June 29, 2005**
Country
Cases
Yemen
284
Nigeria
193
Indonesia
65
Sudan
25
India
18
Ethiopia
13
Pakistan
10
Afghanistan
3
Niger
2
Angola
1
Mali
1
Cameroon
1
Total Cases
615
** Figures are provided by the Global Polio
Eradication Initiative and may not include recently reported
cases.
Sources: Global Polio Eradication Initiative, World Health
Organization (WHO)
Poliomyelitis, or polio, is an acute infectious disease caused by one
of three gastrointestinal viruses, either polio virus type 1, 2 or 3.
The polio virus can attack the nervous system and destroy the nerve cells
that activate muscles. As a result, the affected muscles no longer function,
and irreversible paralysis can occur. In severe cases, the disease may
lead to death. Polio mainly affects children under 3 years of age, but
can strike older children and adults as well.
For additional information on the prevention and treatment of polio, consult the Public Health Agency of Canada's Disease Information Backgrounder on Polio.
Recommendations
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that Canadian international travellers contact a physician or travel medicine clinic prior to departure for an individual risk assessment. Based on travellers' current health status, previous immunization history and anticipated travel itinerary, their need for immunizations including polio can be assessed.
For Canadians travelling to countries where poliomyelitis occurs, primary immunization
of children and, if indicated, primary immunization of adults or a booster dose
for adults, are recommended in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee
to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT) and the National Advisory
Committee on Immunization (NACI)
For additional information:
Read the Travel Medicine Program's previous Travel Health Advisories on polio.
Consult the Public Health Agency of Canada's document: Immunizations
Recommended for Travel Outside of Canada.
Visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization NACI to view the Canadian Immunization Guide, 6th Edition.
Visit the World Health Organization's Global Polio Eradication Initiative website at: www.polioeradication.org.
Released:
July 5, 2005
